The University of Mississippi School of Business Administration is in on the game, encouraging students to enter the 2010 Ole Miss Business Plan Competition. A $5,000 prize will be awarded for each of the following: best new business plan, best new business concept and best new Android smart phone application.
“The competition seeks to provide students an opportunity in which they can develop skills in pitching ventures to investors and receive constructive feedback, thereby increasing the probability of successfully launching ventures now and in the future,” said Bethany Cooper, director of corporate relations and MBA services for the business school.
The competition is open to all Ole Miss students, and students may compete individually or as teams of up to five people. All ideas presented must be original.
The Self Foundation is sponsoring awards for best new plan and best new concept, and Cellular South is sponsoring the award for best new app for the Android phone. Summaries of the business plans are due Friday (Feb. 26).
Semifinalists are selected March 12 to pitch their ideas to a panel of professional judges on April 2. The finalists will pitch in-depth plans April 23, and the winners will be announced that day at an entrepreneurial reception sponsored by the Mississippi Small Business Development Center. Various bank officials and other financial investment experts will serve as judges.
Business leaders from Emerge Memphis, Mercury Labs, Resolute Games, the Mississippi Technology Alliance and the UM Office of Research and Sponsored Programs will help mentor contestants and provide workshops.
For more information, visit http://www.olemissbusiness.