Startup! Annual Business Plan Competition

Have a business idea? Have talent or skills you'd like to lend to a startup? Wish to mentor a startup venture? If so, join us for the following events or contact us for more information by emailing: elizabethingrassia@yahoo.com

The Fordham University Business Plan Competition is open to students and alumni from any Fordham University school. Winners receive $10,000 in prize money. Take control of your life--be the navigator of your own destiny. Whether it's now or later...entering the Fordham Business Plan Competition will provide you with more career options. Learn, Network & Grow! 

Seminars for Startups & Early Stage Businesses

The Pitch Secrets of NY Angels Chairman David Rose

2009 Fordham Entrepreneurship Center Business Plan Winners

GreenSoul Shoes led by Fordham Law School Alum Alistair Ong '95

Check out the first annual Fordham StartUp! Business Plan Winners, GreenSoul Shoes, on Fox News!

Also be sure to read about our runners-up, Pandora's Wish, and their recent win at the Baruch Business Plan Competition

The Fordham Business Plan Competition is an integrated learning experience allowing students to apply all aspects for their MBA education. While the primary objective of the competition is to educate participants about the entrepreneurial process of creating and evaluating new business ventures, the Competition also provides a terrific platform for showcasing entrepreneurial talent at Fordham, networking participants with the entrepreneurial and venture community, and harnessing Fordham University's and its communities resources. Winners of the Competition receive $10,000 in prize money, and learn a tremendous amount about the entrepreneurial process as they journey through the competition activities and events.  


Who Can Enter

All Fordham University students and alumni. No prior business courses or experience is necessary. The only requirement is that at least one member of each participating team be either a current student or graduate of a Fordham University undergraduate or graduate school.The team member must be an active participant in the venture, as determined by the Twaalfhoven Entrepreneurship Center. Strong evidence of active participation is ownership in the aggregate of a minimum of 15% of the equity in the new venture, but other factors may override the absence of equity ownership.

You may enter the competition as an individual or as a group (strongly encouraged). If you do not have an idea but would like to join a team, or if you need to find teammates, just let us know. We’ll try to help you find others with the interests, talent and skills you seek.  

Funding and Operating History Considerations: A team is ineligible if it has received more than $250,000 in outside financing or any institutional funding (venture capital, private equity, hedge funds, corporate funds, etc). For entrants who are generating revenue of $250,000 or more, eligibility will be determined by the Twaalfhoven Entrepreneurship Center on a case by case basis.

Re-entrants: If a participant previously entered the competition, he/she may re-enter only with a substantially different venture idea.


Multiple concepts: Individuals may enter more than one venture concept summary with permission of the Twaalfhoven Center, but may not be selected for more than one team in the Finalist round.

Awards and rewards: Members of the winning team must sign a Prize Agreement and follow the agreement rules.

Don't Have an Idea??? Here are Some Possible Ways to Find Start-ups to Join!:

 

General Information:

  • Fordham Startup! Business Plan Competition Evaluation Criteria
  • Fordham Startup! Business Plan Competition--Key Dates, Submission Proceedures and Business Plan Format Guidelines and Outlines

    Structuring Your Financial Projections (Courtesy of Professor Christine Tan):

  • Financial Statements in a Business Plan Powerpoint
  • Finacial Statements Worksheet from Class One
  • Financial Statements from Lecture One
  • Working File for Financial Statements from Class One
  • Other Important Criteria for Entry and Evalutation:

    Funding

    The startup does not need to be one that requires venture capital unless that is appropriate or needed. However, submitted business plans must state how each entrant proposes to fund their venture.
    Scale
    All scales of business will be considered, however, we do not view favorably those ventures that lack a vision for growth.

    Screeners:

  • Richard Wells, Insight Partners
  • Jonathan Lidz, Paragraph3 Holdings LLC
  • Professor Laura Gonzalez, Fordham University
  • Professor Christine Tan, Fordham University
  • Prof. Rachael Wells, Fordham University
  • Emily Campbell, The Campbell Firm PLLC
  • Chris Thorne, Broadline Capital
  •  

    Finalist Coaches:

  • Professor Laura Gonzalez, Fordham University
  • Professor Christine Tan, Fordham University
  • Jacquette Timmons, Sterling Investment Management
  •  

    Judges:

  • Richard Wells, Insight Partners
  • Emily Campbell, The Campbell Firm PLLC
  • Roy C. Carriker, Global Advisors LLC
  • Jeremy Levine, Bessemer Venture Partners
  • Mark Adams, PfifeBridge, Inc
  • David Hirsch, Metamorphic Ventures
  • Geoff Judge, Amplitude Peak
  • Bill Benedict, Alpine Meridian
  • Mark Schneider, Angel Investor
  • Charlie O'Donnell, Venture Capitalist/CEO Path 101
  • Thomas Lehrman, Gerson Lehrman
  • 2010 Startup! Schedule

    Seminars and Events (open to all)


    February 21 Deadline:  Business Plan Competition Registration

    To sign up, Click Here or send an email to Elizabeth Ingrassia (elizabethingrassia@yahoo.com) and CC: Brendan Poff  (poff@fordham.edu) and Michael Bowser mbowser@fordham.edu. ***BE SURE TO INCLUDE in your email:***

    • Your full contact information (email address, cell phone, alternate phone, name)
    • The name of the Fordham affiliated member, their school and graduation year
    • The name of the business plan
    • The primary industry of the business
    • A brief description (max two paragraphs) of the business concept
    • Names of all teammates, and their corresponding emails, telephone numbers
    • If we were able to find you a mentor, what would be the skill sets or areas of expertise for which you believe you need the greatest guidance. you may include more than one. For example, We need help with our financial projections, and also would benefit by gaining guidance in the fashion industry.
    February 26 Deadline:  Business Plans are Due
    • Email the plan to both Elizabeth Ingrassia (elizabethingrassia@yahoo.com) and Brendan Poff (poff@fordham.edu) (try to include the financials in the same document) AND, in addition to emailing the business plan,
    • Mail or drop off two (2) copies of your plan to Ingrassia c/o Faculty Center, 113 West 60th Street, 6th Floor.
    March 5 Finalists selected and announced via email.
    • Coaches will be assigned to the finalists

    March 31

     

    Deadline: Revisions to Business Plans are Due
    • Email the plan to both Elizabeth Ingrassia (elizabethingrassia@yahoo.com) and Brendan Poff (poff@fordham.edu) (try to include the financials in the same document) AND, in addition to emailing the business plan,
    • Mail or drop off two (2) copies of your plan to Ingrassia c/o Faculty Center, 113 West 60th Street, 6th Floor.

    April 16

    Event:  Business Plan Competition Finals

    • Finalists present plans to Judges (Prominent Panel of Angel Investors)
    • Awards Ceremony & Reception

     

     

     


    * At least one member of the team must be a student or alum from Fordham (including Law, Business, College of Arts & Sciences, etc.)