'Venture Challenge' Puts Students' Business Ideas to Test
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 15, 2012) — Got a winning business idea? Fledgling companies, made up of University of Kentucky students, will compete for funding in UK's first-ever "Venture Challenge" on Saturday, March 24.
The event is sponsored by the UK College of Communications and Information Studies, Big Blue Starters, the Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship/Lexington Innovation and Commercialization Center, and the Bluegrass Business Partnership, which includes the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Commerce Lexington and the University of Kentucky.
Students at the graduate and undergraduate level have the opportunity to win money as well as valuable "face time" with investors to share their business ideas. Teams of UK students will compete as companies. The winners of the Venture Challenge will go on to "Idea State U" where they will compete with teams from seven other Kentucky universities for a grand prize of $35,000.
The Venture Challenge comprises two separate competitions, each with a graduate and an undergraduate track. The Business Concept competition is for teams with an idea, but no detailed finanial information. The Business Plan competition is for teams with a fully fleshed-out business plan, including finances.
For more information and to register, visit the competition website at http://vator.tv/competition/venture-challenge (for the Business Plan competition) or http://vator.tv/competition/venture-challenge-business-concept-competition (for the Business Concept Competition).
Entries must be received by Monday, March 19. Teams must also submit a PowerPoint presentation for use at Venture Challenge by March 21. The competition and final judging will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 24, at the UK Alumni House at 400 Rose Street in Lexington.
Further information and updates are also available on the Venture Challenge Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/180079995439942.
MEDIA CONTACT: Keith Hautala, (859) 323-2396; keith.hautala@uky.edu.