Cozad New Venture Competition 2012

Website

http://tec.illinois.edu/cozad

Competition Organizer

Technology Entrepreneur Center and the Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the U of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign

Who's Eligible

Open to all full and part-time students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, graduate or undergraduate. Non-students can be members of the team, as long as at least one University of Illinois student is also on the team. Non-students may only be part of the management team, and may not present the plan in the Finals event. 

Ventures should be in the seed, startup, or early growth stages, and should not exceed $50,000 in raised equity capital. 

Important Dates

Intent to Compete forms are due on January 23, 2012. All teams must submit a one page business plan by January 30, 2012. Following an elevator pitch round, teams must submit all final materials (including five-page venture summary) by February 24, 2012. The competition finals will take place on March 31 2012, followed by an awards reception. 

Competition Prizes

An estimated $40,000 - $60,000 in cash and in-kind prizes will be awarded to winners and finalists. Prizes to be awarded include: 

  • Most Fundable Venture
  • Best Venture Pitch
  • Best Green/Clean Tech Venture
  • Best Social/Non-Profit Venture
  • Best Mobile Application
  • Best Consumer Product
  • Best Bootstrapped Venture
Other Info

Teams are invited to create a venture pitch around an idea of their choice. Assistance is available in the form of mentors, workshops, and courses to guide teams through the phases of venture creation.