Halifax-based Saint Mary’s University has extended the application deadline for its biggest pitching contest, formerly March Madness, now The Arena.

The month-long contest offers the best student entrepreneur a grand prize of $10,000, and is open to students from across the country, including recent grads.

Modelled after the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) March Madness basketball competition, the contest will see 64 entrepreneurs compete for total cash prizes of $17,000 provided by Metronomics, a business consultancy.

Candidates must be a student currently studying at or recently graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution (undergraduate, graduate, PhD students and alumni within one year of graduation). They must also:

* Be the owner or part-owner of the business idea;

* Have not generated more than $25,000 in annual revenue in the business;

* Have not received more than $15,000 through external support or investment (through investors or other competitions).

The deadline to apply is Feb, 9 at 11:59 p.m. AST.