Carnegie Mellon University
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Choolaah Grand Challenge

We are excited to announce the inaugural Choolaah Grand Challenge 2018 at Carnegie Mellon University.

The Choolaah Grand Challenge is a university wide competition open to all students to generate innovative ideas in food and customer service. Choolaah is looking for ideas that have the potential to become successfully implemented in their fast growing enterprise.

Top ideas will be awarded up to a year of free Choolaah meals, and an opportunity to work in the organization with Choolaah’s leadership to implement their ideas.


What is Choolaah? 

Choolaah is a new Indian barbeque concept that's transforming the fast-casual dining landscape one raving fan at a time.

Want to learn more? Visit Choolaah.

Challenge 1

Develop a program to establish Choolaah as The top of mind choice for the college and university audience within 90 days of challenge award. Success matrix: 75% conversion rate from unengaged to paying customer.

  • Identify the most impactful audiences within the university ecosystem
  • Determine the most effective approach to inform and engage each audience, transforming them into raving fans
  • Develop a novel, cost-effective and efficient Customer Relationship Management process
  • Desired outcome: 75% audience

Challenge 2

Develop a vibrant, engaged and effortless higher education Choolaah Brand Ambassador program utilizing both "boots on the ground” and a groundbreaking social media strategy and tactics.

Challenge Resource Data

  • Choolaah Menu and Catering Menu
  • Choolaah Videos
  • Choolaah.com
  • Choolaah Overview
  • Choolaah Marketing Collateral

FIRST PRIZE

  • $1,000 cash prize
  • One Year of Free Choolaah
  • Internship (Paid) Opportunity to help leadership implement your plan
  • Dinner/Q&A with the Cofounders/CEOs

SECOND PRIZE

  • $500 cash prize
  • Free Choolaah for a Semester
  • Lunch/Q&A with the Cofounders/CEOs

THIRD PRIZE

  • Swag bag with Choolaah tshirt, hat, water bottle, pop socket, entree card

2018 Information Session:

Find out more at a kick-off information session on:
  • Tuesday, February 6th: 12:30-1:30pm, Tepper School of Business, Posner Hall, Room 152

2018 Office Hours:

Follow up Office Hours will be held on the following dates:

  • Tuesday, February 6th: 11am-12:30pm, Tepper School of Business, GSIA, Room 228H
  • Tuesday, February 6th: 1:30-3pm, Tepper School of Business, GSIA, Room 228H

To learn more and sign up for the challenge, please visit choolaah.startupcompete.co

2018 Key Dates

  • Registration Opens: February 12th, 8am
  • Round 1 Submissions Open: February 12th, 8am
  • Round 1 Submissions Due: March 15th, 4pm
  • Round 1 Judging: March 16-18th
  • Final Pitch: March 26th, 10am
  • Winners Announced: March 27th at the McGinnis Venture Competition