John Ruffatto Business Plan Competition at the University of Montana – May 10

The University of Montana School of Business Administration will showcase the entrepreneurial aspirations of students across the state when it hosts the 23rd Annual John Ruffatto Business Plan Competition Thursday, May 10, in the Gallagher Business Building.

Faculty from higher education institutions across Montana will nominate 30 teams to be considered to compete. From those thirty teams, a distinguished group of judges will then invite 15 teams of the original thirty to compete in the semifinal round based on their written plans. Teams will compete for more than $30,000 in prize money this year.

The prestigious panel of judges consists of venture capitalists, angel investors, bankers, successful entrepreneurs and corporate executives. These judges will offer feedback on the fifteen business plans chosen for the semifinal round. Judges will then narrow the field to four finalist teams. Each of the four teams will present their business plan to the entire audience Thursday evening.

Festivities begin at 5:00 PM, first floor, Gallagher Business Building on The University of Montana campus.

Judges for the competition are business leaders with a wide spectrum of professional expertise, which creates an environment charged with lively exchange of ideas and enthusiastic discussion. The final round will be an exciting competition as the audience chooses its favorite competitor for the People’s Choice Award. The final round is free and open to the public, appetizers and beverages are served throughout the evening.

The John Ruffatto Business Competition is a highlight of the spring semester at the UM School of Business Administration. The competitors have worked on their formal written plans months in advance. Many spend weeks polishing their oral presentation. The event draws a large audience because people are eager to listen to the presenters’ new ideas about doing business in Montana. The shared business ideas and educational experience of this competition has helped Montana in many ways over the years. Some participants have gone
on to create the business they discussed in this forum.

Others say the experience of participating was "one of the most educational experiences" they ever had.

Learn more about the Ruffatto Business Plan Competition at http://www.mtbusinessplan.com.

Contact: Larae Hackney, special programs coordinator, UM School of Business Administration, 406-243-4830, [email protected].