Business Plan Competition!
Free Business Plan Software on Competition Registration!
The Business Plan Competition Process 
Step 1 - Attend Pre-Registration Activities
Step 2 - Register for a Mentor
Step 3 - Register for the Competition
Step 4 - Submit Your Business Plan
Step 5 - Semi-Finals
Step 6 - Finals or Elevator Pitch
Step 7 - Receive Your Money & Start Your Business!
Step 1 – Attend Pre-Registration Activities
No matter your level of business savvy, YOU can compete and win the Business Plan Competition! Everything you need to know to get started will be presented at the following events:
Business Plan Competition Kick-Off 7p, Tues, October 16, 2008 MCK 127
Workshop “Idea vs. Opportunity” 7p, Tues, October 21, 2008 MCK Little Theatre
Workshop “How to Finance a Business” 7p, Thurs, October 23, 2008 MCK Little Theatre
Workshop “How to Write a Business Plan” 7p, Tues, October 30, 2008 MCK Little Theatre
Workshop “How to Market a Business” 7p, Thurs, November 6, 2008 MCK Little Theatre
Workshop "How to Write a business Plan" 7p, Thurs, February 5, MCK Little Theatre
Workshop "Elevator PitchCraft" 7p, Tues, February 24, MCK Little Theatre
Step 2 – Register for a Mentor
If you are interested in having a Mentor assigned to you to help you through the entire process, you must register for the Mentoring Option, on-line by 11:30p, Friday, November 14, 2008. A copy of your registration must also be delivered to the School of Business front desk the next Monday. You will then be asked to attend a pre-mentor appointment. The purpose of this appointment is to review your business idea and to prepare you for working with a mentor. After the interview, a successful entrepreneur in your area of interest will be assigned to mentor your business. Working with a mentor is an awesome opportunity, especially if you have a great business idea but know nothing about starting or running a business. They will help you create your business plan, prepare you for presenting it and counsel with you on its implementation. See the Competition Schedule for due dates under the Mentoring Option.
If you do not want a mentor but are interested in having someone review your idea and/or business plan before the competition, Brother Greg Gibson and other faculty members are available to visit with you. You can select this option on the registration form.
Step 3 – Register for the Competition
Registration begins on the Kick-Off, October 16, 2008. All entry forms must be completed on-line AND 3 copies, along with 3 copies of your business plan, must be turned in to School of Business front desk by 5:00 pm Thursday, February 19, . All Business Plan Competition Registration will be done through the On-line Registration, NO EXCEPTIONS. For competition rules see the Contestant Agreement at the On-line Registration.
Step 4 – Submit Your Business Plan
Email an electronic copy of your business plan to cie@byuh.edu AND turn in three copies of your finished business plan to the Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship front desk by 5:00 pm Thursday, February 19, (ACR 141, near the Post Office). Attach a completed copy of the On-line Registration to each copy of your business plan. Please review the Business Plan Guidelines and the Business Plan FAQ , before writing and submitting your business plan.
Step 5 - Semi-Finals
You will be notified via email by Friday, February 27, , if you are selected for the Semi-Finals. A list of Semi-Finalists will also be posted on this website and the door of the School of Business. If your business plan is selected for the semi-finals, be prepared to make a 15 minute presentation to the judges on Monday, March 2, at 1:00pm, ACR 155-165. These 15 minute presentations should include PowerPoint slides and detail the major points of the business plan in a persuasive and professional manner. All team members of the Semi-Finalist teams should attend the presentation. PowerPoints can be set up starting at 12:00pm that same day. All Semi-Finalist will advance to either the Finals or the Elevator Pitch Competitions. All Competitors, regardless of advancement, are allowed to compete in the Poster Competition for $1,500 in cash prizes!
Step 6 – Finals or Elevator Pitch
You will be notified via email directly following the Semi-Finals whether you are selected for the Finals or the Elevator Pitch Competition. A competitor list will also be posted on the door of the School of Business. If your business plan is selected for the Elevator Pitch , be prepared to make a THREE minute presentation to the judges on Wednesday, March 4, at 7:00pm, ACR 155-165. The three minute presentations may include PowerPoint slides to present the salient points of the business plan in a persuasive and professional manner. All team members should attend the presentation. PowerPoints can be set up starting at 6:00pm. Two remote microphones and projector will be provided.
Finalists will be required to give a presentation of your business plan on Friday, March 6, at 11:00am in the McKay Auditorium. Family and friends are welcome to attend this event. Following the team presentations, the votes will be tallied and all place prizes will be awarded for each category. PowerPoints and microphones can be set up starting at 10:00am. Four remote microphones and projector will be provided.
Step 7 - Receive Your Money & Start Your Business!
In addition to prize monies, your Business Plan may also be selected for funding via visiting conference entrepreneurs or institutional representatives, or by the CIE Mentor Venture Capital Fund .
The Business Plan Competition Prizes are:
Grand Prize - $5,000
1st Place, Developing Countries - $4,000
1st Place, Developed Countries - $4,000
2nd Place, Developing Countries - $2,000
2nd Place, Developed Countries - $2,000
Founders Award - $1,000
Elevator Pitch Winners - $200
Register Now!
