View the full event details in the 'Resources & Pre-Entry Preparation' section below
Sunday, March 24, 2019
*Must follow the template listed below in the 'Templates & Rubrics' section below
Sunday, April 7, 2019 (MANDATORY FOR SEMI-FINALISTS)
Tuesday, May 7, 2019: Seattle University, Campion Ballroom
Friday, May 31, 2019: Columbia Tower Club
All Semi-Finalist and Finalist Teams should plan to attend.
Screening Round
Semi-Finals
There are three major parts to the Business Plan Competition.
The first round is the initial review of business plans that determines which teams will be moving ahead to the Trade Show/Elevator Pitch Round. Approximately 15-20 teams are chosen to progress to the next round.
The Trade Show/Elevator Pitch Round is divided into two distinct parts:
The Trade Show is a giant fair where teams have a space in the Campion Ballroom to set up a display and present their business idea. You may have a total of four members of your team, including the student/alumni member, working your booth. Teams are scored by two constituents:
The Elevator Pitch Round consists of a two-minute pitch of the team’s business plan, presented by the active SU student or SU alum, in front of a panel of judges. The combined results of the Trade Show scores, given by the Community Choice judges and the official Trade Show judges, as well as the scores from the Elevator Pitch Round and Screening Round, will narrow the field down to the final teams that will continue to the Final Presentation Round.
The Final Presentation Round is where the final teams present their complete business plan to a panel of judges. Normally, four teams will proceed to the Final Presentation round (exceptions to this number may be made based on the quality of business plans submitted). The Final Presentations focus on the complete business plan where teams present their plans to a group of judges and field questions. Presentations are open to investors, Seattle University faculty, staff, alumni, students, and Seattle University friends. Teams will give a maximum 15 minute presentation followed by 10 minutes of questions and answers. The judges will meet after the presentations to make final award decisions. Winners will not be announced until the Awards Reception. The presenters will receive feedback from the judges in written form and mentoring within a week after their presentations.
The finalist teams will receive special coaching sessions prior to their final presentations. If teams choose to revise their final plan before the final coaching session, the business plan will be due back three days prior to the coaching session to give the coaches time to review it. After the coaching sessions, the final business plans will be due at least six days prior to the Final Presentations. The finalist teams will also be required to create a Power Point presentation for the Final Presentation.
How many people should be on a team?
Bring your business plan rough draft, ideas, and questions! Subject matter experts will be available to work with you on your plan.
Lemieux Library 122 - Boeing Room (4:00-5:30pm)
Lemieux Library 122 - Boeing Room (4:00-5:30pm)
Harding Building, Room 142 (4:00-5:30pm)
Lemieux Library 122 - Boeing Room (4:00-5:30pm)
Information & Panel of Past Participants (10/25)
Ideation Lab (11/15)
The Harriet Stephenson Business Plan Competition is the year's main event for Seattle University's Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center (IEC). Prominent early-stage company investors, entrepreneurs and business leaders from the Seattle area will judge the presentations by the final four student teams. Prizes Prior winners have launched actual ventures that have successfully raised more than $4 million in initial capital.
Special thanks to the many individuals who have generously shared their time and energy in this competition, including sponsors, mentors, judges, presenters, staff, and IEC Advisory Board members.
The Business Plan Competition was started in 1998 by Dr. Harriet Stephenson, a Seattle University faculty member since 1967. It is designed to help students and alumni in launching new business ventures, including for-profit businesses, not-for-profit businesses, corporate entrepreneurship, and social enterprise. Participants enhance their Seattle University learning experience, gain feedback on ideas, develop networks, are encouraged to participate in the UW's northwest invitational business plan competition, and expose their ideas to potential investors.
