Frequently Asked Questions:
Considering becoming a Virtual Business Plan Judge? Here's the scoop.

How do I become a Virtual Judge?

Simply complete the online volunteer application. A meeting with the Executive Director is not required. However, an active LinkedIn profile is necessary to verify your educational background, work experience, and professional expertise. There are no minimum requirements, and many of our judges are students pursuing the bachelors degrees.

 

Could you share more details about the training session and what we should prepare in advance?

A live Zoom training session is held approximately three weeks before the competition. This 90-minute session provides an overview of:

• The competition rubric and scoring criteria

• Examples of strong business plans and those needing improvement

• Instructions on how to download, evaluate, and submit scores and feedback in the online judging portal

 

Training is required, though no advance preparation is necessary. All materials, including sample plans and the scoring rubric, are provided in advance. Attendance at the session ensures you are fully equipped to evaluate plans effectively.

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On average, how much time should I allocate for reviewing and scoring each plan?

Each business plan typically requires 1.5 hours to review, evaluate, and submit both scores and written feedback. Judges evaluate three plans, for a total volunteer commitment of about six hours, including the training session. Judges must complete the evaluation process within a four day window, which is generally scheduled for Monday - Thursday.

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Will judges provide only numerical scores, or will we also be offering written feedback to the students?

Judges are asked to provide both numerical scores and short written feedback. Feedback is shared with the classroom teacher (not directly with students) to help teams strengthen their business concepts and presentations.

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Will judges receive an official certificate or letter of recognition after the competition?

Judges will receive a digital badge that can be displayed on LinkedIn to acknowledge their professional contribution. Project ECHO does not issue individual letters of recommendation, endorsement letters, or documentation for citizenship or employment purposes.

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Will judges’ names and bios be listed publicly in the event program, website, or promotional materials?

Virtual Judges’ names will be listed in the event program. However, Virtual Judges are invited to join the event as a VIP Judge with a small donation, in which case they will be provided with a half page “ad” in the event program where they can share their bio, their company profile, or simply share words of encouragement.

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Is there any press or media coverage planned that will highlight the judges and their involvement?

Press and media coverage typically highlight the students and competition outcomes rather than individual judges. Virtual Judges are recognized collectively as part of Project ECHO’s volunteer network, but their individual names are not featured in public releases.

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What platform will be used for the online judging portal, and will there be tech support available?

The competition uses Project ECHO’s secure online judging portal. During the judging period, technical assistance is available to ensure all judges can successfully download plans, enter scores, and submit written feedback. Contact information and protocols are provided during the training.

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Will there be opportunities to continue judging in future competitions or serve in other capacities with Project ECHO?

Yes. Judges who enjoy the experience are invited to return annually or explore additional volunteer opportunities—such as mentoring, or participating in live events as VIP Judges.

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For those interested in the VIP Judge option, could you clarify how the bio and company profile are published in the program and whether this information is also shared online?

VIP Judges are invited to submit a brief professional bio, headshot, and company logo. These materials are featured in the event program and may also appear on Project ECHO’s website and social media channels to acknowledge their leadership and community engagement.

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Still have questions? Please send us an email.

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