New Venture Development Competition
The Mark L. Morris, Jr. New Venture Development competition is now accepting business plans. This competition is open to all undergraduate students at The University of Kansas.The Award is sponsored by Morgan Creek Capital Management in respect and recognition for Mark L. Morris, Jr., a world-class veterinarian and entrepreneur.
Awards:Top 10 Finalist: $200
Top 4 Finalist: Additional $2,000
Winner: Additional $5,000
Deadline:Written plan summaries are due Thursday, November 29, 2007.
Selected finalists will present their plans on Friday, December 6, 2007.
Submit Your PlanSubmission Requirements:
Eligible ParticipantsThe Business Plan may be prepared by an individual or team of students. No more than three students are permitted on a team and a student is only allowed to participate on one team. All students must be in an undergraduate program at The University of Kansas and be in good standing.
Written Summary PlanEach team is required to submit a 3-5 page business plan summary. The plan should address the following components:
Market Size
Growth Trend
3rd Year Market Share
Company Locale (County)
Time to Break Even/Positive Cash Flow
Return on Investment Potential
Asset Intensity
Return on Sales Potential
Asset Intensity
Return on Sales
Competitive Differentiation
Barriers to Entry
Experience of Management Team
Dedication to Venture
Click to download sample judge’s cardLate entries will not be considered.
The Business Plan Summary will be evaluated based on customary venture capital criteria by a panel of financiers, entrepreneurs and student officers of the KU Entrepreneurship Club.
Each plan will be judged on a 3-point scale with:
80% - quantitative criteria
20% - judge’s subjective criteria
Subjective criteria includes: creativity and innovation of the new venture, the entrepreneur’s passion and commitment to the venture, management style and customer orientation.
Finalist PresentationsThe review panel will select the top ten Business Plan Summaries from all submitted. These top ten winners will present their plans to the review panel in a classic elevator pitch format of 5 to 10 minutes per presentation with questions from the panel to follow.
Selection and Announcement of WinnersThe announcement of the final four applicants and the overall competition winner will occur at a dinner gathering that evening to which all top 10 finalist teams will be invited.
Download RulesDownload Sample Judge’s CardDownload Suggested Workload Timeline
