Opportunities for PartnershipThe Business Plan Competition would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. As a sponsor of the WSU Business Plan Competition you will be impacting student lives by contributing to an exceptional hands-on learning experience for WSU students. Sponsor company representatives are invited as judges for the Presentation and/or Final Round of the competition. Sponsors also are recognized at competition events, in competition materials and can host banners, tables, or giveaways.

Program VisionThe WSU Carson College of Business, Business Plan Competition was developed to give student entrepreneurs and future business owners the opportunity to practice business in a real-world setting, showcase their business acumen and network with industry professionals. The Business Plan Competition is key to rounding out academic and outreach efforts—bridging theory and application for students who participate.

WSU has taken this competition beyond the Pullman campus and has included international competitors. WSU students have the opportunity to exchange ideas face to face with some of the brightest and most creative students from other countries. It is a great preparation for the global business world that awaits them.

Levels of SponsorshipCrimson Sponsor$10,000 and above• Company logo featured on all program materials, email

communications etc. as Crimson Sponsor. Link to the company’s web site from the Business Plan Competition website.

• Name a student league

• Recognition of the sponsor from the podium during the Kick-off Luncheon, Dinner and Final Awards Luncheon.

• Company logo and/or name displayed at all events.

• Company representative (3) invited as judges at Presentation (April 24) and/or Final Rounds (April 25)

• Two (2) tickets to the Power Breakfast

Silver Sponsor$5,000 to $9,999• Company logo featured on all program materials, email

communications etc. as Crimson Sponsor. Link to the company’s web site from the Business Plan Competition website.

• Name a student league

• Recognition of the sponsor from the podium during the Kick-off Luncheon, Dinner and Final Awards Luncheon.

• Company representative (2) invited as judges at Presentation (April 24) and/or Final Rounds (April 25)

Angel Sponsor$2,500 to $4,999• Company logo featured on all program materials, email

communications etc. as Crimson Sponsor. Link to the company’s web site from the Business Plan Competition website.

• Name a student league

• Recognition of the sponsor from the podium during the Kick-off Luncheon, Dinner and Final Awards Luncheon.

• Company representative (2) invited as judges at Presentation (April 24) and/or Final Rounds (April 25)

Investor Sponsor$500 to $2,499• Sponsorship level recognized on website

• Company representative (1) invited as judges at PresentationRound (April 25)

MissionSince its inception in 1995, the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies has provided education and training in the critical skills essential for business creation, innovation, and leadership.BU

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“The Center for Entrepreneurial Studies is excited to be hosting its 13th annual Business Plan Competition on April 24-25, 2015. Please join us in supporting our emerging business leaders. We look forward to seeing you at the competition.” Marie Mayes, MBADirector, Center for Entrepreneurial Studies Clinical Assistant Professor, MISE

Summer Work with internal and external partners to create inventory of good ideas

Fall Teams brainstormand choose ideas; conduct feasibility analysis

Spring Business plan development; prototype/ models; Business Plan Competition

Spring/ Summer Launching new ventures— funding, coaching, networking

Organization of the CompetitionPreparation for the Competition begins in earnest in January and concludes April 24th and 25th.

• Specific courses are available in the spring semester to complement business plan development.

• Students will submit an intent to submit starting January 29 until March 12

• We will introduce six (6) optional coaching nights in the months prior to the competition. Students will have more opportunity than ever to get the training and resources they need from business professionals.

• March 26: Students will submit a 4-5 page written Summary of their Business Plan

• Judges will review all submissions in the Screening Round

• April 6: 24 teams will advance to six (6) leagues in the Presentation Round.

• Teams in the Presentation Round submit a 12-15 page written business plan (April 15, 8 a.m.) and give a 15 minute presentation to judges (April 24). Judges for the competition are experienced executives, entrepreneurs, bankers, and venture capitalists who provide feedback to the teams.

• An awards ceremony to celebrate the college’s entrepreneurial spirit is held after the first day of the competition. Those who are moving on to the second day of the competition will be notified at that time.

• In the Final Round, the top six (6) teams give their presentations to the judges who then choose the winning teams.

• The top winners earn recognition, prize money, and opportunities to represent WSU at regional and national competitions.

Commitment to Quality EducationInnovation and business creation are essential for global competitiveness in the 21st century. All premier entrepreneurial education programs feature a business plan competition, but most are regional and primarily at the graduate level. The Carson College of Business at Washington State University believes a business plan competition is critical for developing the skills and experience necessary for our world-class entrepreneurial program.

In 2014 the competition celebrated its 12th anniversary. Dan Castles, CEO of Telestream Inc. delivered an inspiring keynote address, “The Entrepreneurship Experience: Is It For You?” Dan focused on the value of persistence and accountability. He also shared tips on how to build a good team. Twenty-four (24) college teams and four (4) high school teams presented their plans to a panel of industry expert judges, with the winning teams sharing prizes totaling more than $50,000. A gala awards ceremony concludes the first day of the competition and celebrates the winning high school teams.

The competition is open to all WSU students in any major. Interdisciplinary teams from across campus come together in a unique forum to showcase their creativity and hard work. The competition includes a high school league to encourage younger participants and international teams from our campuses at the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE) in Chengdu, China, The Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology in Arusha, Tanzania, and at César Ritz Colleges Switzerland, in Brig, Switzerland.

As we continue to build internal and external relationships, we are fostering economic impact, where outcomes can include intellectual property agreements, new patents, and venture funding.

For more information please contact:

Jeff PilcherAssistant Director of DevelopmentCarson College of Business509-335-8906jeff.pilcher@wsu.edubusiness.wsu.edu/development

Marie Mayes, MBADirector, Center for Entrepreneurial Studies Clinical Assistant Professor, MISE509-335-5628mmayes@wsu.edubusiness.wsu.edu/eis

“The international Business Plan Competition at WSU is rated by students as one of their best experiences for helping ready them to launch their post graduate careers. This project challenges the teams in multiple business disciplines to develop real world innovative ideas into viable businesses. Students receive immediate feedback from industry professionals who serve as mentors and judges, and have a passion for the Carson College of Business and student success.”Mike TompkinsDirector, Business Development, Hitachi ConsultingEntrepreneurship Advisory Board

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