Business Plan competition season is ramping up. Here is the first one out of the gate: From Florida Atlantic University, which does open its competition to the community.
Florida Atlantic University’s Adams Center for Entrepreneurship and the College of Business will host the 2013 FAU Business Plan Competition, in which FAU students, alumni and members of the business community are invited to compete for a share of more than $200,000 in cash and prizes. The competition will take place April 11-12 at FAU Boca Raton, 777 Glades Road. A track for the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!), a program that guides students’ grades seven to 12 through the process of launching a real business, will be included for the first time this year, allowing the group to compete on April 10.
The deadline for individual registration is Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 at 5 p.m., and final business plans must be submitted by Sunday, March 17, 2013 at 5 p.m.
Individuals or teams may submit an innovative business plan in one of two categories: the Entrepreneur Track, which is designated for alumni and members of the business community at large; and the Student Track, which is open to current FAU students only.
To compete, participants must complete the online registration. A screening committee made up of FAU faculty and South Florida business leaders will narrow business plan submissions to a total of 20 business plans to compete in the final-round event. Teams participating in the competition will have the opportunity to meet and network with experienced venture capital principals, early-stage angel investors, successful entrepreneurs and senior business leaders who will serve as contest judges.
The FAU Adams Center for Entrepreneurship offers the following free or low cost opportunities to help launch business ideas:
- Entrepreneur Learning Sessions – take place every Friday beginning Jan. 18, 2013, these sessions are designed to provide entrepreneurs with know-how for launching their business.
- Entrepreneur Boot Camp – beginning Jan. 26, 2013, the boot camp is structured to help entrepreneurs with the creation of the business plan, from start to finish.
- Entrepreneur in Residence – experienced entrepreneurs and leaders volunteer their time to assist entrepreneurs with their business ideas.
For more information on the contest or the learning or boot camp sessions, contact Maggie Kelly at 561-297-3852 or visit www.business.fau.edu/bpc.