2007 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Business Plan Competition Awards Ceremony April 26th @ Siena
For the last three years I’ve been involved with putting on the only state-wide business plan competition among college students with Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (producing and managing the event) and the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation kicking in $100,000 in prize money. This year will mark my third year as a finalist judge. Yeah…I’m like Simon Cowell…er Paula Abdul…er…anyway, lots of fun judging.
This year, Nevada’s college students submitted a record 44 business plans – a nearly 20 percent increase over last year. That’s way cool. Dave Archer and Emily Lowe have really been knocking this event out. I wish that I had received this kind of emphasis on entrepreneurship when I was in college! I’m the Chair for NCET this year and I’m stoked that things are really on a roll. (More about that later.)
Students from eight of Nevada’s colleges and universities are participating, a significant increase over last year’s competition. Nevada’s students also submitted 16 business plans for the new Lt Governor’s Award which is focused on green/clean startups. (Last year SimplySun, a business plan team out of Sierra Nevada College won with an idea for photo-voltaic membranes over commercial office windows. Brilliant!)
Each of the business plans will be reviewed by a panel of over 40 judges, and the top 12 teams – six each in the graduate and undergraduate tracks – will be invited to participate in the April 26th oral presentations held this year in Reno. Last year it was in Las Vegas at the Green valley Ranch. This year it’s at the Siena and is always HUGE FUN!
The finalists will personally present their business plans to the panel of judges. If you think you will ever pitch a business plan, come watch this! The finalist presentations are open to the public!!! It’s better than watching American Idol!!!
Seriously, it’s worth coming and watching the pitches. The judges are real entrepreneurs, vc’s and angels. This is as “real deal” as we can make it.
The winners will be announced at that evening’sAwards Gala at Reno’s Siena Hotel Spa Casino. Governor Jim Gibbons will be the guest of honor, and Lt. Governor Brian Krolicki is the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. This will be Brian’s third year MC’n this event – his first as the LG. Reflecting his care (and promise) to make Nevada a leader in renewable energy, the “Lt. Governor’s Award” makes its debut this year with a cash prize pool of at least $12,500 (as of writing) that will be presented to the graduate and undergraduate business plans that best employ clean, renewable or efficient energy technologies and services.
BTW, Sponsorships are still available…but going fast!!! We’re 80% Sold Out!!! Act Fast! As a sponsor, you’ll be providing significant support for Nevada’s best and brightest college and university students. Just slightly less important is the opportunity to attend a great party. Thanks to the following sponsors (so far): NCED, NDA, Schwab Bank, Wells Fargo, EDAWN, Sierra Pacific Resources, Noble Studios, UNR – COE, UNR – I3, NSBDC, Siena Hotel, Concepts West Agency, NNDA, Sierra Angels, Twelve Horses, Vegas Valley Angels, KRNV Channel 4, NNBW, Citadel (KKOH,Wild), Las Vegas Chamber, Reno-Sparks Chamber.
