Business plan competition announced
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas Center for Entrepreneurship in association with the Business Press is launching a business plan competition that will be open to entrepreneurs of any experience level.
Applicants will be eligible for a host of prizes, including help launching their new company.
Unlike other business competitions, it is not limited to any specific industry and is open to any resident of Clark, Nye or Lincoln counties age 18 or older.
"We want to find business ideas that will make the biggest economic impact in the community, to stimulate new industries and create new jobs," said Steven Phelan, director of the university's Center for Entrepreneurship.
Proposals must call for the business to be incorporated in Nevada and must present either a new idea or an early stage company. Eligible entries must be original and the proposed business must not have generated any sales before the competition, with the exclusion of a test-marketing project.
Business proposals should not be engaged primarily in retail sales, real estate or the provision of health care or other professional services.
The winners and finalists will walk away with upward of $50,000 in cash and prizes.
During the first stage, applicants will submit a five-page executive summary of their business plans, which will be evaluated by the staff of the UNLV College of Business. Semifinalists will provide a full-length version of their business plans, which will be judged by members of the Las Vegas business community. Five finalists will be invited to do in-person presentations, and the winner will be announced at a reception on Jan. 22 in conjunction with the launch of the Las Vegas Business Press' annual Book of Lists.
Applications can be submitted through the UNLV Center for Entrepreneurship Web site and at www.lvbusiness press.com.
