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 Google Venture regarding your business plan
- Two team members from selected finalists will receive FREE entrance to the Whitney M. Young Jr. Conference on November 7th, 2015
- Finalists will have the opportunity to present their business plan live at the kick off to the Whitney M. Young Conference on November 7th in front of some of the country’s leading venture capitalists and investors
Contest Overview
The Whitney M. Young Jr. New Venture Competition is open to undergraduate, graduate and recent graduate entrepreneurs who are actively working on launching a business.
3 teams will be selected as finalists to pitch their business during the kick off of the Whitney M. Young Jr. Conference on November 7th 2015.
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
- Deadline for business plan submission is October 22nd at 11:59 PM EST!
- Business Plans should be submitted in a .doc, .pdf, or .ppt format and should not exceed 15 pages
- Complete application and Business Plan should be submitted at: https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/syDXJg
Key Dates
- Business Plan Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM EST on October 22nd, 2015
- Finalists will be selected and notified on October 29th, 2015
- Submission of Pitch Deck: 5PM EST on November 3rd, 2015 (submit in .ppt)
- Business Plan Pitch: November 7th, 2015
Business Plan Pitch Guidelines
- Presentations will be capped at 3 minutes
- Presentations should be submitted in a .ppt format
Rules and Stipulations
- You do not have to be affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania in order to participate.
- 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)
- Finalists selected to present will check in at the conference no later than one hour prior to the start time of the pitch competition
- Winning team will receive free entrance to the annual Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference (travel not included)
- 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.
- Should any questions arise, please don’t hesitate to email wmypitchcompetiton-2015@
wharton.upenn.edu
