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JMU Sustainable Business Plan Competition

 

Eligibility

The JMU Center for Entrepreneurship provides a forum for entrepreneurs to refine their business concept for launching a sustainable business venture.  The competition is open to JMU faculty, staff, students and alumni as well as the local community--Augusta, Allegheny, Bath, Highland, Page, Rockingham, Rockbridge and Shenandoah counties and Harrisonburg, Staunton and Lexington cities.


The Center for Entrepreneurship reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any entrant. All decisions are final.

 

Entry Requirements

The business concept must be a new, independent venture in seed, start-up or early-growth stages, seeking outside equity capital. The venture must demonstrate a strong sustainability component.  Businesses excluded from the competition include:

    * Buy-outs
    * Real estate syndications
    * Tax shelters
    * Franchises

 

Judging Criteria

Executive summaries and business plans are judged based on the viability of the venture and the growth potential.  The business must have a strong sustainability component and be ready to launch within a year.

Sustainability is "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Our Common Future, 1987
 
 

Awards

Given the current scarcity of funding options for new ventures in the current economic climate, we are committed to the competition, feeling it is more important than ever to support entrepreneurial activity. We are shifting the scope of the SBPC 2009.

We have secured $50,000 in funding and more than $7,000 of in-kind services for the 2009 SBPC to support the launch of a new venture.

Prizes will be awarded to a grand prize winner and runner-up who meet the investment criteria.  The award package will be customized to fit the needs of the venture.  Judges can choose not to award prizes if the venture does not demonstrate viability.

Competition - April 20, 2009, Festival Center Ballroom, 7-9:30 p.m. 

Competition Schedule

4:45-5:30 p.m.	Judges Convene (dinner provided)
5:30-6:30 p.m.	Make Your Pitch! (by invitation only)
6:30-7:00 p.m.	Reception (Open to the public)
7:00-9:30 p.m.	Competition

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If you have any questions about the competition or are interested in being a corporate partner for the event, please contact Carol Hamilton at cfe@jmu.edu.



 

 

 

*  Resources
*  Register
*  Meet the Judges