University Business Plan Competitions

“American Indians have always been known as great leaders,” said Larry Gianchetta, dean of the business school and adviser to UM’s AIBL chapter. “They’re trying to do it so it’s culturally appropriate. They realize the key to becoming a sovereign nation is to build a strong economy.”

UM has competed in the program since 1992. That year, UM won the competition, which was sponsored by Visa, with the “It’s everywhere you want to be” tagline.

G. Steven Burrill himself jetted in from France on the spur of the moment for what he said was only the second Burrill competition he’s personally attended.

The globe-trotting businessman, a 1966 graduate of the UW-Madison School of Business, heard each team’s plan and gave out some advice the night before the presentation and judging. He said one of the competition’s strengths is bringing together engineering and other disciplines with business.

"If you just did it with the business school, you’d fail," he said.

"The CEI has allowed these teams to get the knowledge and skills they need to make their ideas become reality."

The UEC is a seven-month program designed to help students understand the process of creating and starting a business. This year, more than 500 students have competed statewide for a $40,000 cash prize that will be awarded to the team that presents the most plausible and promising business plan. More than $100,000 in cash prizes and in-kind services will be awarded as secondary prizes.

Alianza routes calls in Mexico over Net, charges users less PROVO — When Brian Beutler was selling prepaid calling cards in Mexico three years ago, he was unable to get the Mexican telecommunication goliath TelMex…

Submission date extended to April 27, 2005 to encourage submissions from plans written in spring semester.

Come see the latest ideas and the world’s future entrepreneurial leaders at the Northwest Venture Championship, an international business plan competition featuring graduate and undergraduate teams from across the United States and from other countries.

Competition, was created to enable students from Maryland colleges and universities to experience every aspect of starting a business, from recruiting employees and advisors to pitching potential investors for funding.

Now in its seventh year, the contest has become a spotlight for bright ideas from leading MBA programs around the world, including Europe and India.