David Chilton, author of The Wealthy Barber series, will judge the upcoming Monster Pitch, a student entrepreneurial pitch competition run by Brock’s Goodman School of Business students in January.

Chilton will join returning judges Bruce Croxon, co-host of BNN’s The Disruptors and CEO of Round13; Deborah Rosati, corporate director and co-founder of Women Get On Board; and Jason Sparaga, co-founder and co-CEO of Spark Power Corp. and founder of Spara Capital Partners.

A frequent guest on national TV and radio shows and a much sought-after speaker, Chilton is passionate about the field of personal finance and mixes humour and common sense to help people handle their money more wisely in his books The Wealthy Barber and The Wealthy Barber Returns. He has also published a number of bestselling cookbooks.

Inspired by the hit TV show Dragons’ Den, Monster Pitch is hosted by the Brock Innovation Group student club. It’s supported by the Goodman School of Business and BioLinc and is sponsored by Spark Power Corp.

In its seventh year, the pitch competition will see four Brock University student teams present their business ideas to the judging panel for a chance to win a prize package worth more than $12,500 in cash and in-kind startup support services.

“This is an important event for our school,” says Goodman School of Business Dean Andrew Gaudes. “It demonstrates the strength of our students and their ability to get in front of people and show the richness of their ideas and entrepreneurial experience.”

Gaudes said the positive comments from judges over the years “show how strong our students are and how well our programs prepare them.”

“The strength of the judges shows their interest in working with our faculty, staff and students in a successful event like Monster Pitch,” he said.

The finalists pitching their ideas will be in good company, as they will share the Monster Pitch stage with two prominent entrepreneurs.

The event will open with Steeped Tea founder Tonia Jahshan sharing her experience on Dragons’ Den in 2012, when she received investment from judges Chilton and Jim Treliving after successfully pitching her business plan.

A keynote address will then be given by Welland native Anthony Lacavera, founder and chairman of Globalive Capital and founder of Wind Mobile, Canada’s fourth-largest wireless carrier.

Brock Innovation Group President Josiah Dueck, a fourth-year business student, said the planning for Monster Pitch is extensive, but said “it’s all worth it.”

“Monster Pitch is a unique opportunity for students to pitch and get feedback from celebrity judges and industry professionals, and to get that experience in order to move forward with their businesses,” Dueck said.

The competition takes place at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8 at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. The event is open to everyone and tickets are now on sale for $5.