Business Plan Competition

JOIN THE WHITNEY M. YOUNG, JR. NEW VENTURE COMPETITION!

Prizes Include

  • FREE entrance to Black Enterprise Magazine’s annual Entrepreneur’s Conference
  • Automatic entry as a finalist in Black Enterprise Magazine’s Elevator Pitch Competition for the chance to win $10,000
  • One hour consultation with a venture capitalist regarding your business plan
  • Two team members from selected finalists will receive FREE entrance to the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Conference and Gala on December 6, 2025
  • Finalists will have the opportunity to present their business plan live at the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Conference on December 6th in front of some of the country’s leading venture capitalists and investors, including:
    • William Crowder, Managing Director of DreamIt Ventures
    • Jude Tuma, Founder and Managing Director of Geminus Partners
    • Luke Chernosky, Founder and Managing Director of Chernosky Capital

Contest Overview

The Whitney M. Young, Jr. New Venture Competition is open to all entrepreneurs who are actively working on launching a business.

3 teams will be selected as finalists to pitch their business during the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Conference on December 6th 2014.

Selection Criteria

Teams will be selected based on their ability to articulate:

  • Product/Service Description
  • Value Proposition
  • Market & Competition
  • Financial Viability
  • Risks and Validation of Concept
  • Financial Statements (Cash Flow Statement - current and projected, Balance Sheet, and Income Statement)

Submission Guidelines

  1. Deadline for business plan submission is November 14th at 11:59 PM EST!
  2. Business Plans should be submitted in a .doc, .pdf, or .ppt format and should not exceed 15 pages
  3. Complete application and Business Plan should be submitted via email at: [email protected]

Key Dates

  1. Business Plan Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM EST on November 14, 2025
  2. Finalists will be selected and notified on November 19, 2025
  3. Submission of Pitch Deck: 5PM EST on December 1, 2025 (submit in .ppt)
  4. Business Plan Pitch: December 6, 2025

Business Plan Pitch Guidelines

  1. Presentations will be capped at 7 minutes
  2. Presentations should be submitted in a .ppt format

Rules and Stipulations

  1. You do not have to be a student or affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania in order to participate.
  2. A total of 2 team members from each of the 3 teams will receive free entrance to the conference (other team members who wish to attend will have to purchase tickets)
  3. Finalists selected to present will check in at the conference no later than one hour prior to the start time of the pitch competition
  4. Winning team will receive free entrance to the annual Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference (travel not included)
  5. Indemnification: By submitting your business plan to the Whitney M. Young New Venture Competition, you attest that all submitted content is your original work and you shall indemnify, protect, defend, and hold Wharton, Wharton’s African American MBA Association (AAMBAA), the Whitney M. Young, Jr. planning team and their respective officers harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, injuries, demands, actions, causes of action, suits, proceedings, judgments, and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney fees, court costs, and other reasonable legal expenses, which are based on or arise from your business plan submission or any actions of your team.