By Carol Elliott
Twelve entrepreneurial teams will have a shot at more than $100,000 in prize money as they advance to the semifinals of the University of Notre Dame’s McCloskey Business Plan Competition.
These semifinalist teams will pitch their new ventures live before a distinguished panel of judges on April 14 (Thursday). From this group, three to five finalists will be selected to compete in the final event to be held at 1:30 p.m. on April 15 (Friday) in the Mendoza College of Business Jordan Auditorium. The April 15 presentations are open to the public. The competition is organized by the Gigot Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Mendoza College of Business.
The ventures range from a patented technology for a bone substitute, to a mobile phone application that connects alumni, to wind turbines and parenting workshops.
“Feedback from our judges indicates that this is a very strong group of competitors,” said Karen Slaggert, assistant director of the Gigot Center. “During the competition, 151 judges have participated, with 70 seasoned professionals mentoring the teams as they worked hard to complete their business plans. We are extremely pleased with the great representation from our alumni, graduate and undergraduate students.”
A total of 113 teams entered the McCloskey Competition last fall; in December, 86 teams made it into the second round where they began to write their business plans. Judges for the competition include members of the IrishAngels network and other respected members of the Notre Dame entrepreneurial community. Read More