Q: What’s the deadline?
A: There are three deadlines and an event!
- Send your application form to Digital Rochester no later than January 8th, 2008. Earlier is better because you need time to meet with your Endorsement Company.
- The deadline for meeting with the companies is January 29th, but keep in mind that many of them are very busy and will not be able to schedule a last minute meeting! We suggest that you try to meet with them before year-end.
- The deadline for have your exhibit ready for the public is January 31st. (There’s no mistake that this is after the holiday/semester break – it gives you time without homework and exams to pull this together!)
- The Exhibition will be Tuesday, February 5th, from 5:30-7:30 PM.

Q: What kind of ideas are you looking for?
A: The only limitation here is your imagination! However, you should consider that the judges are more likely to select an idea that:
- is realistic. Providing every commuter wings from wax and feathers isn’t going to get you too far! Your idea needs to be realistic. However, you don’t have to have all the answers on how the internals of a new product would work. Entrepreneurs regularly hire design engineers to help with tough design challenges.
- has a market. Who would pay money for your product or service? How many of those people, businesses or institutions are there? Who has a competing product or service and why is yours better?

Note that your idea doesn’t have to be revolutionary! Many people have built a very successful business on providing a well know service, but doing it just a little differently than anyone else. Starbucks didn’t invent coffee, did they?

Q: Can I enter more than one idea?
A: No, you are limited to one idea per year. Your exhibit needs to be focused on that one concept.

Q: Does the company get to keep my idea?
A: This is your idea. The company you will meet with will try to help you brainstorm on the idea, including how you might try to bring it to market. If you are serious about either selling your idea or starting a business to launch this Bright Idea, we suggest that you start by seeking out a professor on your campus who can give you some advice on the first steps that you'll need to take. If you’re at one of the campuses with a business incubator, have a conversation with the folks who run the incubator. You also might want to schedule a few business courses as part of your electives!

Q: Can I have the company sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement)?
A: In the business world, very few companies – and no venture capitalists or similar investors – are open to signing an NDA when someone approaches them for an initial conversation about a ‘great idea’. They have no way to know whether they’ve heard a similar idea from another source, or even whether you’re actually the originator of the idea that you want to discuss. When entrepreneurs are seeking investment capital, they have to learn how to strike the balance between telling enough about their business concept to capture the attention of investors without giving away the “secret sauce” that makes their concept work. This is what you’ll want to do for this competition.

Q:What should my exhibit look like?
A:Your exhibit should include some kind of visual aids to help you communicate your idea to those attending the event. You might choose to create a poster, or to use a laptop - or both. Include graphs, photos, and illustrations or build a model. You want to capture the attention of the judges and of the members of the regional business community who’ll be in attendance.

If you have additional questions, send us an . We'll continue to add to this page as questions come in.