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!
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!
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!:
- NYU Poly Incubator
- NYC Seed
- Downstate Biotech Incubator
- Calverton Business Incubator
- ITAC Virtual Incubator
- Long Island High Technology Incubator
- Sunshine Suites
General Information:
Structuring Your Financial Projections (Courtesy of Professor Christine Tan):
Other Important Criteria for Entry and Evalutation:
FundingThe 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:
Finalist Coaches:
Judges:
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:***
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| February 26 | Deadline: Business Plans are Due
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| March 5 | Finalists selected and announced via email.
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March 31
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Deadline: Revisions to Business Plans are Due
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April 16 |
Event: Business Plan Competition Finals
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