SOM Notes and Accomplishments

UT Dallas Business Idea Competition Offers $36,000 in Prizes

RICHARDSON, Texas (Oct. 2, 2007) — Students at the University of Texas at Dallas may turn their business savvy and initiative into cash this fall by competing in the first annual UT Dallas Business Idea Competition. Sponsored by the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) at UT Dallas, the competition is offering $36,000 in prizes for student teams that create the best original new business ideas.

The competition is open to all UT Dallas students who will compete in teams of two to five members in separate graduate and undergraduate divisions. Winners in both undergraduate and graduate divisions will receive $10,000. Cash prizes will also be awarded to two runners-up in each division, as well as to teams recognized for the “The Most Compelling Business Idea” and the “Most Effective Presentation.” Teams must register their intent to compete on the institute’s website www.innovation.utdallas.edu no later than noon on Oct. 4.

A reviewer panel will judge submissions on the basis of originality, market opportunity, value proposition, competitive advantage and feasibility. The best business ideas in each category will be announced as finalists by Oct. 26, and finalists will make their presentations to a panel of judges on Nov. 9. Finalists will compete in preliminary rounds of judging; the top four in each division will compete in the finals.

An information session held on Sept. 21 brought out an overflow crowd of more than 80 potential competitors. “The level of interest and enthusiasm is high. Based on our initial meeting, we expect a bumper crop of interesting and creative new business ideas,” said Dr. David Deeds, academic director of the IIE and an associate professor in the School of Management.

IIE Executive Director Dr. Joseph Picken acknowledged the support of the awards sponsors who will help make the event memorable. Funding for the prizes was provided by Sevin Rosen, Hunt Ventures, Trailblazer Capital, Deloitte, Wischmeyer Benefit Partners, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich Rosati, OnSearch Partners, airBand, Ceterus, InnerWireless and Wayport.

Contest rules and instructions are available on the institute’s website: http://innovation.utdallas.edu. For further information, please contact the institute at 972-883-5990.