Business Plan Forums

Across the country, business plan competitions are helping both early and growth-stage companies jump-start their fundraising.

"Keiretsu Forum is one of the leaders in the start-up angel financing space, and we are proud to be recognized by this pioneering group of savvy and experienced investors."

SEVERAL SEATTLE-AREA companies are making presentations this week at the Drilling Down on Local conference in downtown Seattle, an event that has attracted more than 450 people to discuss trends in Internet search and local online advertising.

“The business plans in the final round reflect some of Wisconsin’s core technology strengths, as well as the fact that entrepreneurs can be found in all corners of the state.”

"You nailed it. God, you sounded good out there."

The selected IT, life sciences and clean tech companies have or are near sales and/or previous investment, a strong management team, proprietary technology and have a credible expectation of doing $30-$100 million USD a year in sales in three to seven years.

“The Opportunity Quest competition is open to all university students and empowers them to take their business ideas and turn them into working businesses,” says Cameron Bailey, Director of Opportunity Quest.

This event provides opportunities for high-growth companies to participate in the angel/venture capital process as investors meet with companies seeking capital.

After the students interview real-life entrepreneurs and assess the entrepreneurs’ business plans, they will present investment recommendations to a judging panel of real venture capitalists.

The mission of the contest, which features a Grand Prize worth $50,000 in cash and services, is to encourage entrepreneurs in the creation, start-up, and early-growth stages of high-tech businesses.