The Robert H. and Beverly A. Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Colorado's Leeds School of Business will host the inaugural Sustainable Venturing Business Plan Competition Feb. 23-24 at the Millennium Hotel in Boulder.
The competition invites teams from universities around the world to compete for $25,000 in prize money for business plans with high growth potential that provide innovative solutions, services or products addressing an unmet need in global sustainability. In addition, the top-ranked team with a clean energy plan will be invited to present at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Industry Growth Forum in fall 2006.
"Growing competition for resources and related environmental issues is creating substantial opportunities for profitable ventures in sustainability," said Paul Jerde, executive director of the Deming Center. "Venture capitalists and others are looking for innovation, new technologies and new ventures to serve existing and emerging markets in sustainability. The Deming Center Sustainable Venturing Business Plan Competition provides students an opportunity to compete for some of those dollars."
Teams will be judged on the market opportunity their plans offer, the distinctive competence of the venture, sustainability impact, financial analysis, management capability, investment opportunity and communication.
The G. Chris Andersen Family Foundation provided major sponsorship for the team prizes. Additional co-sponsors include the International Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology and the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance.
Finalists competing for the prize money include the Dartmouth University Tuck School of Business, CU-Boulder Leeds School of Business, University of Michigan Ross School of Business, University of North Dakota College of Business and Public Administration, Colorado State University College of Business, Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management and the York University Environmental Studies and Schulich School of Business in Toronto.
The public is invited to observe the finals of the competition on Friday, Feb 24, at 2 p.m. More information about the competition, including a complete schedule, is available at