MARQUETTE — Northern Michigan University students have an opportunity to present their ideas for products or services to a panel of judges at the first-ever Mini Pitch competition, a complement to the annual Big Pitch event hosted by NMU’s College of Business.

The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Monday. Five teams will be chosen to compete in the “Shark Tank” style format for a chance to win one of two $500 cash prizes. Students are asked to submit the application before the deadline and produce a smart, entertaining and convincing pitch. Teams are allowed to be creative with their presentation format. Acting out ideas, role play, use of costumes and props are allowed to explain any ideas. The Mini Pitch will not include a question-and-answer forum or a formal presentation.

Taking place before the Big Pitch business plan competition, the Mini Pitch was created by Invent@NMU, in partnership with NMU and the Lake Superior Community Partnership. This competition allows all ideas, no matter how big or small, to be explored. NMU students of all majors or academic backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Mini Pitch judges include Mary Myers, director of business development at the LSCP, Carol Johnson, dean of the NMU college of business and David Kronberg, director of entrepreneurial services at Invent@NMU.

The Mini Pitch and Big Pitch competition event will be held on April 21 at Forest Roberts Theatre.

For more information and to apply, visit https://invent.nmu.edu/nmu-pitch-competition/.