January 25 2006 sees the launch of the 2006 Oxford
University Business Plan Competition, the biggest of its kind in the
Entries are
welcome from anyone - individuals, teams, (particularly Oxford MBA students),
new companies, existing companies creating spin-offs, scientists, students and
entrepreneurs - with a good, innovative idea for a science, technology, medical
or design-based business.
Ideas should be
original or a significant improvement on an existing business and must have
received no more than £250,000 of funding so far.
This
year the competition has a top prize of £20,000 for the winning business
plan, plus various other prizes including awards for runners-up and for
the best “elevator pitch”.
For
those who are new to business and creating a business idea, you can learn a lot
by participating in the Business Plan Competition. There is high-level feedback
on all business ideas submitted and the chance to learn more about the
processes of business. The competition is a highly-prestigious platform for
successful new venture creation, providing access to networks, training and
valuable contacts, and it furthers participants’ understanding of the
investment process and what constitutes a realistic marketable idea.
Entries
in the past have seen ideas ranging from wireless communications to
environmental solutions. Previous winners and participants in the
competition have included companies like Omlidon Technologies; TEOX; Dmist and
CMP Therapeutics, which have all gone on to greater success.
Entries
are welcome any time up to the deadline of 5pm on 19 May 2006.
The finalists will be announced in June 2006, with the final itself tasking
place at Venturefest, the annual get-together of entrepreneurs, business people
and investors in Oxford, which will be held at the Saïd Business School for the
first time on 3-4 July 2006.
If
you require any further details about the competition, please visit our website
at www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/entrepreneurship,
clicking on ‘Business Plan Competition’.
I
will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Please contact me at the
details below.
Good
luck!
Programme Manager
OX1 1HP
T. +44 (0)1865 288827
F. +44 (0)1865 288805
E. christopher.venditozzi@sbs.ox.ac.uk
W. www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/entrepreneurship