Do you love ABC's "Shark Tank," or want to see the next big business idea in its very first stage? Come to the 2015 Warhawk Business Plan Competition hosted by CEO (Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization). The event is Wednesday, April 8, from 4:30-9 p.m. in the Old Main Ballroom in the James R. Connor University Center.
"It's an opportunity for collegiate entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas to business owners, entrepreneurs, investors and other professors," said David Gee, co-adviser of CEO.
This year's finalists are:
Students presenting their sales pitch in front of a panel will be judged on the market opportunity of their idea, the problem it solves, the solution, the competitive analysis, and the competitive advantage. Students will also be judged on their presentation skills.
"If you have the greatest idea and don't know how to pitch it, no one will buy it," said freshman Sam Lepak, chief marketing officer of CEO.
The judges will be a panel of successful business people who went through this process themselves and later branched out as entrepreneurs.
"UW-Whitewater really values entrepreneurship. This is our heart and soul we've put into this event," said freshman Brandon Fong, president of CEO.
The winners will not only get recognition, they will also win a cash prize. The first-place finisher receives $4,000, second will receive $2,500, and third will receive $1,500. Many competitors have gone on from this event to achieve great success. Two students have been accepted to the UW-Madison Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic, two other students earned provisional patents on their products, and this event has achieved a 100-percent-success rate with the startup process, Gee said.
Gee said Launch Pad - a program where students receive start-up training, coaching, round-tables, access to start-up resources, and space at the Whitewater Innovation Center to start their own businesses - is accepting applicants.
For more information, visit uwwlaunchpad.org or uwwceo.com.
Written by Alyssa Langer