BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION SPONSORSHIP - College of ...

BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION SPONSORSHIP
Opportunities for Partnership
Participation as a sponsor of the WSU Business Plan
Competition is mutually beneficial in a number of
ways and allows for various levels of interaction with
students. All sponsors are eligible to choose a judge
for at least one round of competition. Sponsors also
are recognized in competition materials and can host
banners, tables, or giveaways.
Program Vision
There is currently no sustained funding source for this
critical program. The Business Plan Competition was
developed to complement the existing entrepreneurial
program and position WSU and the College of Business
as leaders in this field in the Pacific Northwest. The
success of the Business Plan Competition is key in
rounding out academic and outreach efforts—bridging
theory and application for students who participate.
WSU has taken this competition beyond the Pullman
campus and has included regional, national, and
international competitors, thereby enhancing the
experience for all participants. The success of the
program is essential in advancing the educational
experience for all entrepreneurship majors. The Business
Plan Competition is a vital part of that program and a
way to showcase student learning to the business world.
Levels of Sponsorship
Crimson Sponsor
$10,000 and above
• Place a judge at preliminary and/or
championship competitions
• Sponsorship level recognized in news release,
collateral materials, and website
• Name a student league
• Company logo and/or name displayed on table
at the awards ceremony
Silver Sponsor
$5,000 to $9,999
• Place a judge at preliminary and/or
championship competitions
• Sponsorship level recognized in collateral
materials and website
• Name a student league
Angel Sponsor
$2,500 to $4,999
• Place a judge at preliminary and/or
championship competitions
• Sponsorship level recognized in collateral
materials and website
Investor Sponsor
$1,000 to $2,499
• Place a judge at preliminary and/or
championship competitions
• Sponsorship level recognized on website
Awards Dinner Table Sponsor
$500
• Company logo and/or name displayed on table
at the awards ceremony
Distinctions
Since its inception in 1995, the Center for
Entrepreneurial Studies has provided education and
training in the critical skills essential for business
creation, innovation, and leadership. A survey by
Entrepreneur magazine and The Princeton Review ranks
the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies as one of the
top 25 entrepreneurship programs in the nation in
the undergraduate category.
“Our business plan competition is among the best in the country. It is
designed to enable participants to learn firsthand about new venture
creation and to launch their new ventures, as well.
In 2013 we will be hosting the 11th
annual Business Plan Competition. So
come and join the celebration. We look
forward to seeing you all.”
—Saonee Sarker, Ph.D.
Director of the Center for
Entrepreneurial Studies

Organization of the
Competition
The WSU Business Plan Competition is set up in two
phases with the preliminary phase held in the fall
semester, usually the first week of December, and the final
competition held in the spring semester, usually late April.
The two-phased competition encompasses an educational
objective while encouraging participants to pursue their
entrepreneurial ventures.
• Phase I: The first phase emphasizes feasibility
analysis as students brainstorm and choose which
ideas they will pursue. In conjunction with
educational modules and mentoring opportunities,
students assess the technical merits, operational
logistics, legal ramifications, consumer needs and
demands, team skills and abilities, and financial
viability of their proposed innovation. In Phase I,
teams create video entries and also make quick
face-to-face presentations of their business plan to
the judges.
• Phase II: Culminating with the actual competition
in the spring, this phase is devoted to preparing and
presenting a sound business plan. Specific courses
are available in the spring semester to complement
business plan development. This time is often used to
create working prototypes and models to bring ideas
one step closer to potential commercialization.
The two-day competition is organized by leagues.
Judges for the competition are experienced
executives, entrepreneurs, bankers, and venture
capitalists who provide feedback to the teams and
determine winners. The top winners earn recognition,
prize money, and opportunities to represent WSU at
regional and national competitions. Teams whose
ideas warrant further exploration for patenting or
actual business startup are coached and encouraged
through the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and
the Innovation Assessment Center.
An award ceremony to celebrate the college’s
entrepreneurial spirit is held after the first day of the
competition. Those who are moving on to the second
day of the competition will be notified at that time.
Commitment to
Quality Education
Innovation and business creation are essential for
global competitiveness in the 21st century. All premier
entrepreneurial education programs feature a business plan
competition, but most are regional and primarily at the
graduate level. The College of Business at Washington State
University believes a business plan competition is critical for
developing the skills and experience necessary for our worldclass
entrepreneurial program.
In 2012 the competition celebrated its 10th anniversary. In
celebration of this milestone, Dr. Samuel H. Smith delivered
the keynote address. Forty-six teams presented their plans
to a panel of judges from the business community, with the
winning teams sharing cash and prizes totaling $150,000.
A gala awards ceremony concluded the event followed by a
reception sponsored by Washington Trust Bank for judges
and event organizers.
This year our keynote speaker will be Maury Forman, from
the Washington State Department of Commerce. Maury
brings a broad perspective of how entrepreneurship is
bringing vitality to our region.
The competition is open to all WSU students in any major.
Interdisciplinary teams from across campus come together in
a unique forum to showcase their creativity and hard work.
The competition includes a high school league to encourage
younger participants, and international teams from our
campuses at the Southwestern University of Finance and
Economics (SWUFE) in Chengdu, China, and at University
Center César Ritz in Brig, Switzerland.
As we continue to build internal and external relationships,
we are fostering economic impact, where outcomes can
include intellectual property agreements, new patents, and
venture funding.
“The business plan competition at Washington State University
drives new entrepreneurial ideas in our marketplace. Students
are getting a first class education while also being tested in a real
world environment by industry professionals.
This face to face interaction will prove to be
one of the most valuable experiences students
have in higher education.”
—Douglas A. Cox
Vice President/Commercial Lending
American West Bank
Summer
Work with
internal and
external
partners to
create inventory
of good ideas
Fall
Teams
brainstorm
and choose
ideas; conduct
feasibility
analysis; virtual
competition
Spring
Business plan
development;
prototype/
models;
Business Plan
Competition
Spring/
Summer
Launching new
ventures—
funding,
coaching,
networking
For more information please contact:
Jeff Pilcher
Assistant Director of Development
509-335-8906
jeff.pilcher@wsu.edu
business.wsu.edu/development
or:
Lael Gatewood
Business Plan Competition Coordinator
509-335-5319
gatewood@wsu.edu
business.wsu.edu/eis
3/13 141229