In this fast-pace world, we only have so much time to sell an idea. An elevator pitch is the perfect way to overcome these time constraints. This year The Launch Pad, the University of Miami’s interdisciplinary entrepreneurship resource center, will once again present its Elevator Pitch Contest, which educates and nurtures individuals or groups who want to pitch an idea for a product, service, or company.

Last year, the student grand prizewinner was Sean Goldfaden of www.wayfarerworld.com. In the alumnus category, the grand prizewinner was Matt Rosenberg of GameJuice. Thanks to sponsors, more than $85,000 in prizes was distributed among four winners.

This year the contest begins with workshops in September by Melissa Krinzman, who has a 20-year history of starting, growing, and advising private companies and nonprofit organizations and is a frequent speaker on the topic of business plan development.

Preliminary rounds with judging will then take place in October throughout several locations in South Florida. The finale will take place during Global Entrepreneurship Week 2010 in November.

The Launch Pad, which opened in fall 2008, offers guidance in learning business basics, developing ideas, networking with industry experts, and strategizing to take a venture to the next level. The Launch Pad believes that entrepreneurship training is for everyone, including but not limited to scientists, engineers, and artists.

The events surrounding this contest are open to the public and are sponsored by The Miami Herald. Additional information can be found online at http://www.thelaunchpad.org/.