Entrepreneurs compete for $10,000

April 07, 2014

Students with big ideas will compete for big dollars in UW-Whitewater's annual Warhawk Business Plan Competition.

Finalists will make their best pitches and compete for $10,000 in cash on Wednesday, April 9, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in the James R. Connor University Center Old Main Ballroom.

Greg Heal, a finalist, said this competition is a great way to view some creative student business ideas.

"In this day and age there are millions of companies and business men and women with great ideas, and this competition really embraces the creative aspect behind the minds of business people," said Heal, a junior business major and a chief competitions officer with the contest's organizer, Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization (CEO).

Other finalists include freshmen Alec Tranel and Matthew Schultz, graduate student Roger Gerndt and senior Travis Garski.

They will give six-minute presentations of their business plans in front of judges, who will grade the plans on factors such as viability and originality. The competition's format is similar to the ABC television show, Shark Tank.

UW-Whitewater alumnus Jim Lindenberg of Lindy Enterprises and Legends of the Field donated the competition's prizes.

The prizes include $1,500 for third place, $2,500 for second place and $5,000 for the grand prize winner. Attendees will also select the recipient of a people's choice award, who will receive $1,000.

The competition is open for the public to attend. For more information about the event and the student organization CEO, email Greg Heal at healgt14@uww.edu.