High Stakes at the Concept2Venture Business Plan Competition | Dec. 17-18

The 8th Annual College of Business Administration’s Concept2Venture (C2V) Business Plan Competition helps undergraduate and graduate student teams from any of UIC’s 15 colleges turn ideas into real businesses.

The event provides students with an opportunity to pitch their business plans to potential investors and compete for awards exceeding $10,000 cash for their business ideas, plus in-kind service.

This year’s event welcomes a full lineup of guest speakers including: Cayse Llorens of Celeb Tango; David Gardner of ColorJar; and Donna Williamson, Ceres Fund (keynote address).

A distinguished panel of experts including entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, investors, and service providers will judge the entries and provide valuable feedback. This year’s panel discussion is titled What’s Next? Incubation in Chicago and will feature Jason Jacobsohn, Founders Institute; Jamie Johnson, Verde L3C; April Lane, Catapult; and Una Pipic, Chicagoland Entrepreneurship Center.

“I’m looking forward to hearing the speakers and panel discussions throughout the competition,” says Jason Settle, UIC Liautaud MBA 2013 candidate. “We have an incredible group of leaders from the business community speaking. It will be a great learning and networking opportunity.”

The C2V event is organized by the UIC Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies department. The UIC Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies expands awareness and knowledge of new venture opportunities, offers methods for creating and growing enterprises, and celebrates entrepreneurship. This year’s C2V sponsors include Catepillar, The Coleman Foundation, and UIC.

Concept2Venture 2012 will be held Monday, December 17, and Tuesday, December 18, in Douglas Hall on UIC’s campus and is open to the public. To register for this event, please click here.

SEMIFINALS: Monday, December 17

• 1 – 1:30 p.m.:  Registration
• 1:30 – 2 p.m.:  Kick off and Speaker: Cayse Llorens, CelebTango
• 2 – 3 p.m.: Semifinals Track 1 and Track 2
• 3 – 3:30 p.m.:  Networking coffee break
• 3:30 – 4 p.m.:  Semifinals Track 3
• 4 – 4:45 p.m.:  Panel Discussion: What’s Next? Incubation in Chicago featuring Jason Jacobsohn, Founders Institute; Jamie Johnson, Verde L3C; April Lane, Catapult; Una Pipic, Chicagoland Entrepreneurship Center
• 4:45 – 6 p.m.: Finalists announced and Networking Reception

FINALS: Tuesday, December 18

• 12:30 p.m.: Registration
• 1 – 1:30 p.m.:  Kickoff and Speaker: David Gardner, ColorJar
• 1:30 – 2 p.m.:  Track 1 winner
• 2 – 2:30 p.m.: Track 2 winner
• 2:30 – 3 p.m.:  Track 3 winner
• 3 – 3:30 p.m.:  Networking Coffee Break
• 3:30 – 4 p.m.:  Track 4 winner
• 4 – 4:30 p.m.: Track 5 winner
• 4:30 – 5 p.m.:  Wildcard
• 5 – 5:30 p.m.:  Elevator Pitch Competition