1. Starting and Operating a Venture Planning Contest August 11, 2009 W. L. Dougan University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

2. Overview PART I: Our Contest PART II: Tips PART III: Contest in a Box

3. UWW Contest Fourth Year ~ 60 entries $10K prizes Modeled after WI Governors Business Plan Contest Graduate and Undergraduate Draws from across campus Starts in Fall, Final Event in Early May

4. Tips Network in your institution Administration University Development Staff Disciplinary faculty Include external parties Alumni Economic Development Groups Media State Staff Secure Resources Money People Logistic

5. Tips (Continued) Think about design early Who is eligible? What is process? What are evaluation criteria? For-profit versus Not-for-profit Plans or abstracts? Support the contestants Curriculum Club events Lectures Other Contests Multi-stage judging

6. Tips (continued) Timing is important Fall allows winner to go to other collegiate contests and WI Governors Business Plan Contest Spring fits with academic year Get Feedback Make a Book of Knowledge

7. Contest in a Box Narrative Document Based on our experience Electronic Documents Judge Communications Contestant Communications University Officials Communications Publicity Folder Technical Materials Folder Vendor Information Chronology of Events

8. Thanks to We Energies Penny Scheuerman Tony Gierczak Aaron Schuett