WPIVF Business Plan Competition

In an effort to foster startup activity in the northeast, the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Venture Forum (WPIVF) is hosting a business plan competition.  The competition is open to all technology-based, pre-launch startups.

The application for the competition, as well as executive summaries, will be due on October 8, 2010.  There will be three rounds of judging: first round, semifinals, and finals.  In first round, each team is allowed fifteen minutes to make their pitch.  Around five applications make it through the first round, and will be eligible for coaching and mentoring.

During the semifinal round, each team will be required to make presentations to the judges again, but after coaching and mentoring by WPIVP members who are experienced professionals.  When three finalists have been chosen, those teams are required to present their complete business plans, and a winner is chosen.  Here are the full instructions on participation.

This is a great way to make your company’s name known, get constructive criticism on your plans, and to see how your team stacks up against the competition. It may even lead to relationships on venture funding.  The past winners all had innovative and cool ideas; maybe your company will be the next to claim the winner’s crown.