51ÔÚÏß

Business Plan Competition for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Students have opportunity to compete to make business plans reality

TAMPA – USF students who aspire to be entrepreneurs may have the opportunity to realize their business vision by participating in a $15,000 business plan competition in May. Submissions are due May 5, and the formal competition will take place May 14 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Muma College of Business.

The competition is open to companies that are legal entities in the State of 51ÔÚÏß (e.g. C Corp, S Corp, LLC, LLP) with at least one current USF student in the ownership group. Business concepts from all academic disciplines are welcome, and early-stage companies are preferred.

The 2010 Fintech Business Plan Competition includes a cash prize courtesy of the title sponsor Financial Information Technologies, Inc. (Fintech), as well as professional service awards.

The winning teams will receive a cash award from Fintech (first place: $7,500; second place: $5,000; third place: $2,500), plus provider services from other sponsors, including accounting assistance from Spoor & Associates; legal assistance from Fowler White Boggs; and incubator assistance from StarTec and USFP Blue Sky Incubator Program. (Some restrictions apply.)

The first-round competition judging panel will be comprised of Center for Entrepreneurship board members and faculty. Finalists will be judged by a panel of judges with representatives from the sponsor companies, business professionals and serial entrepreneurs.

The competition will begin with presentations, followed by a 15-minute Q&A (30 minutes total for each presentation.) The judges will then convene to make their decision and announce the winners at the awards luncheon that same day.

For more information about the competition, email Dr. Fountain or call 813-974-7900.