University of Minnesota's New Venture Challenge When: Wednesday, April 21 Where: 3M Auditorium, Carlson School of Management, 321 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis Media contact: Catherine Peloquin, Carlson School of Management, (612) 624-8038, cpeloquin@csom.umn.edu Contest contact: Elaine Nissen, Carlson School of Management, (612) 624-2046 or enissen@csom.umn.edu University of Minnesota's New Venture Challenge Minneapolis (January 26)--Do you have an idea for a product or service and need help writing a business plan? Are you starting your own business? Free help and professional review of your plan is available by partnering with a university student and entering the University of Minnesota New Venture Challenge sponsored by the Carlson School of Management. Previously called the Gopher the Gold Business Plan Competition, the competition has been reformatted to build ties with community businesses and give students an opportunity to gain valuable experience by writing a business plan for a new or growing venture. In its seventh year, about 75 students are expected to submit plans and compete for more than $40,000 in cash prizes. Five categories include best business plan using university-related technology, best startup plan with positive social impact, best growth plan from an existing company, best startup needing over $1 million, and best startup needing under $1 million. Within the last two categories there will be separate prizes for both graduate/alumni and undergraduate business plans. All entrants, graduate/alumni and undergraduate, will be eligible to win prizes in the first three categories and can win in more than one category. Business plan submissions are due by Monday, March 22. Presentations will be held Wednesday, April 21, at the 3M Auditorium, Carlson School of Management, 321 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis. Up to 25 teams will present to five panels of local judges that include venture capitalists, bankers and entrepreneurs. Plans will be judged on expected return to investors and company founders, growth opportunity, social impact and quality of plan. For a complete list of rules, visit www.newventurechallenge.com. The competition is free and open to the public and each team must contain one active University of Minnesota student or alumnus. Businesses interested in partnering with a Carlson School of Management MBA or undergraduate student can visit www.newventurechallenge.com |