FAU Business Plan Competition
Thank you for your interest in the 2012 Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Business Plan Competition! The competition is being offered in spring 2012! All students, faculty, and members of the community may be eligible to participate.
Teams participating in the competition have the opportunity to meet and network with experienced venture capital principals, early stage angel investors, successful entrepreneurs, and senior business leaders who will serve as judges for the competition. The competition provides an unparalleled experience for the participants providing time to interact with the judging panel to receive their valuable feedback.
Presenting Sponsor
Overview
There are two categories for teams to compete. Team(s) may only submit in one category, the following two tracks are judged separately:
FAU Student Track – venture teams comprised solely of FAU students. Students MUST be registered and taking class in the spring semester and considered in “good standing.”
Entrepreneur Track – venture teams comprised of FAU alumni, FAU faculty, FAU student (registered and not currently registered), students from other colleges/universities and members of the business community or any combination thereof.
Teams will compete for cash prize money, legal and business services, office space at FAU’s Research Park Authority, the possibility to advance to the state and national competitions (if available), present their business plan to local angel and VC groups and more.
This year for the first time the competition will offer on the eve of the competition a chance for high school teams to compete.
High School Track– participants comprised solely of local high school students within FAU’s service region. Students MUST be currently enrolled in classes in either their junior or senior year and sponsored by their high school.
The winner of the High School Business Plan Competition will win a scholarship* to apply towards an undergraduate/graduate degree to Florida Atlantic University, valued at approximately $25,000** over four years (up to 120 credits). The scholarship funds must be used towards tuition, books and/or on-campus housing at Florida Atlantic University.
*Acceptance of Scholarship may affect eligibility for financial aid assistance
** Based on annual estimated figures full-time 2011-2012 undergraduate tuition fees
Eligibility
Eligibility to participate in the FAU Business Plan Competition is initially determined by meeting the deadlines and submission requirements. FAU Student and Entrepreneur Track participants should review all eligibility criteria as detailed within the Team Eligibility Requirements PDF.
High School Track participants should review all eligibility criteria as detailed within the High School Track Eligibility Requirements PDF.
FAU faculty and staff will select judges based on their business experience and investing expertise particularly in connection with entrepreneurship, and their interest in supporting early stage entrepreneurs. Past judges include representatives from Fortune 100 companies, prominent local law firms, finance consultants and venture capital investors. Business plan submissions are made and screened in a preliminary round by faculty & subject matter experts. A total of 16 finalist teams (eight in each track) will advance to the final round to compete in the FAU Business Plan Competition. For more information on the judging process please download the Judging Criteria and Evaluation Process.