| The Gigot Center for Entrepreneurial
Studies at the Mendoza College of Business is proud to announce
the sixth annual McCloskey Notre Dame Business Plan Competition.
Students and alumni from all colleges within the University are
invited to submit new business proposals and compete for a $15,000
grand prize.
The McCloskey Notre Dame
Business Plan Competition will provide a tremendous opportunity
for entrepreneurial-minded members of the Notre Dame community to
come together for the purpose of fostering new business development.
Representatives from incubators and venture capital firms throughout
the country will attend the final event on April 21st at Notre Dame.
Members of IrishAngels, a select group of entrepreneurs within the
Notre Dame community who support new venture creation, will act
as judges and mentors for the competition.
At least one member of
each team must be a full-time Notre Dame student or alumnus. Ventures
that have received greater than $500,000 in cumulative revenues
or external financing, or have been in operation for more than three
years, are typically not eligible to compete. There is no cost for
full-time students to participate in the event. The registration
fee for alumni is $100 per team.
During the first round
of the competition, participants will submit a 2-3 page overview
and 9-slide PowerPoint presentation of their business idea, including
the business concept, target market, competitive landscape and financial
potential for the venture. Between 15 and 25 teams will be chosen
from these submissions to advance to the semi-final round. These
semi-finalist teams will develop full business plans and PowerPoint
presentations for their ideas, including sales, pricing and production
strategies, detailed financial projections and other relevant business
details. Each semi-finalist team will have access to a mentor from
the IrishAngels network or Notre Dame community, who will act as
a consulting resource as they develop the detailed business plan.
Five finalist teams will be chosen from the semi-finalist business
plans submitted. These teams will come to Notre Dame on April 21st
to give oral presentations and compete for the $15,000 grand prize.
Free Business Plan Pro
Premier software packages are available to each team that participates
in the competition. Business Plan Pro is the number 1 rated and
best-selling business plan software program. It provides an interactive
environment for developing business plans that includes tips, examples
and sample business plans across a variety of industries. The retail
value of this software is approximately $299 per copy. Contestants
can receive their copy of Business Plan Pro upon submission of the
business overview and payment of any applicable alumni team registration
fees.
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