Sample Pitches

Don't miss this opportunity to showcase your innovative ideas and potentially represent the College of Health and Human Services at the prestigious Carlsen Center for Entrepreneurship!

Below are a few example pitches for different departments within the College of Health and Human Services that showcase effective pitch structure and content. Use these as inspiration for developing your own unique presentation!

1. Sample Pitch: Nursing Department Pitch: "Nurse Buddy - Mobile Clinical Decision Support"

The Problem

Healthcare providers make countless decisions daily under pressure, with limited time and resources. Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the US, with many tied to decision-making gaps.

Our Solution

NurseBuddy is a mobile application that provides evidence-based clinical decision support tools specifically designed for nursing workflows. Unlike general medical reference apps, NurseBuddy integrates directly with common EHR systems and uses AI to contextualize information based on the specific patient scenario.

How It Works

1. Nurses input basic patient data or sync with EHR
2. The app provides real-time guidance on assessments, interventions, and potential complications
3. Built-in documentation templates speed charting while improving quality
4. Continuous learning from de-identified usage patterns improves recommendations

Impact

In our pilot testing with Sac State nursing students:

• 87% reduction in assessment time
• 92% increased confidence in clinical decisions
• 94% would recommend to colleagues

Next Steps

With your support, we'll expand testing across clinical settings, refine our algorithm based on feedback, and develop specialized modules for various nursing specialties.

2. Sample Pitch: Physical Therapy Department Pitch: "Home Therapy VR"

The Problem

Physical therapy patients struggle with adherence to home exercise programs, with compliance rates as low as 30%. Patients report exercises are boring, they forget proper form, and they lack motivation without therapist supervision.

Our Solution

HomeTherapy VR transforms prescribed exercises into engaging virtual reality experiences that guide patients through proper movements, track progress, and provide immediate feedback on form.

How It Works

1. Physical therapists create customized exercise programs through our web portal
2. Patients use affordable VR headsets at home to access their personalized program
3. Motion tracking ensures proper form and prevents injury
4. Gamification elements (achievements, progress tracking) increase motivation
5. Data flows back to therapists for monitoring and program adjustment

Impact

Our prototype testing with 50 patients showed:

• 78% increase in exercise compliance
• 65% faster recovery times
• 92% patient satisfaction rating

Next Steps

We're seeking partners to conduct a larger clinical trial and expand our exercise library to address more rehabilitation needs

3. Sample Pitch: Social Work Department Pitch: "Community Connect"

The Problem

Sacramento's vulnerable populations often struggle to access available social services due to fragmentation of resources, complex eligibility requirements, and lack of coordination between agencies.

Our Solution

Community Connect is a mobile-first platform that streamlines access to social services by creating personalized resource roadmaps, simplifying application processes, and facilitating communication between clients and providers.

How It Works

1. Users complete one simple intake assessment
2. Our algorithm generates a personalized resource plan based on specific needs
3. The platform provides step-by-step guidance through application processes
4. Built-in messaging connects clients directly with service providers
5. Case management tools help social workers track client progress across multiple services

Impact

In our initial pilot with Sacramento homeless services:

• 67% increase in successful service connections
• 40% reduction in application processing time
• 83% of social workers reported more efficient case management

Next Steps

We plan to expand our database of connected services and develop partnerships with local government agencies to integrate more resources into the platform.

4. Sample Pitch: "Local Experience: Authentic Tourism Through Local Connections"

The Problem

Tourism in Sacramento primarily focuses on well-known attractions, resulting in three significant issues:

• Visitors miss authentic local experiences that would make their trips more memorable
• Local businesses outside tourist zones struggle to benefit from tourism revenue
• Overcrowding at popular sites while unique neighborhood gems remain undiscovered

Research shows that 76% of modern travelers seek "authentic local experiences" yet 68% report difficulty finding these opportunities through traditional tourism channels.

Our Solution

Local Experience is a platform connecting travelers with local residents who offer personalized, authentic experiences ranging from neighborhood food tours and artisan workshops to cultural activities and outdoor adventures unique to Sacramento.

How It Works

1. Local Experience Creation: Sacramento residents (especially hospitality students) create and list unique experiences highlighting their neighborhoods, cultural knowledge, or specialized skills
2. Smart Matching: Our algorithm connects travelers with experiences based on their interests, time availability, and preferred activity levels
3. Quality Assurance: All experiences undergo a verification process, including safety checks and quality standards review
4. Seamless Booking: Integrated scheduling and payment system with direct income to local experience providers
5. Community Building: Rating system and social features that build lasting connections between visitors and locals

Why It Works for Everyone

For Travelers:

• Discover hidden gems typically only known to locals
• Create meaningful connections and memories
• Experience authentic Sacramento culture beyond tourist attractions

For Local Hosts:

• Supplemental income through sharing their passions and knowledge
• Flexible schedule based on their availability
• Professional development in hospitality and entrepreneurship

For Sacramento:

• Tourism revenue distributed more equitably throughout the city
• Preservation and celebration of diverse neighborhood cultures
• Reduced environmental impact by dispersing visitor traffic

Market Validation

• Pilot program with 25 Sac State hospitality students created 40+ experiences
• 92% of participating travelers rated their experience as "exceptional"
• Average host rating of 4.8/5 stars
• 87% of tourists reported visiting neighborhoods they would otherwise have missed

Competitive Advantage

Unlike generic tour platforms, Local Experience:

• Focuses specifically on authentic connection between locals and visitors
• Provides comprehensive onboarding and training for experience hosts
• Creates opportunities for hospitality students to gain real-world experience
• Highlights Sacramento's diverse neighborhoods and cultural treasures

Next Steps

1. Expand our host network through partnerships with the Sac State Hospitality program
2. Develop specialized training modules for experience creation and hosting
3. Create marketing partnerships with local hotels and tourism offices
4. Launch a sustainability certification for environmentally-conscious experiences

The Ask

We're seeking:

• Faculty mentorship to refine our business model
• Student ambassadors to help develop new neighborhood experiences
• Connections to local tourism stakeholders
• Opportunity to represent HHS at the Carlsen Center pitch competition

Our Vision

Local Experience will transform Sacramento tourism by creating authentic connections between visitors and locals while providing valuable entrepreneurial opportunities for hospitality students and community members.

"We don't just show travelers Sacramento; we help them experience it like a local."

Faculty Contact Info

Dr. Abhijeet Shirsat | Associate Professor

California State University, Sacramento

Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration

6000 J Street, Solano Hall 4016

Mailbox 6110

Sacramento, CA 95819 USA

Tel: (916) 278- 7046

Email: shirsat@csus.edu

Zoom: https://csus.zoom.us/my/profshirsat