NOT YOUR FATHER’S BUSINESS PLAN CONTEST
Entrepreneur Magazine’s College Entrepreneur of 2009 Contest for Undergraduates
presented by The UPS Store®
(Irvine, CA) April 8, 2009 – Maybe you’ve seen how ‘secure’ corporate America is, maybe you’ve wanted to do things your way, since you were like five – or maybe you just can’t stand the idea of working for the man knowing you’ll make a bigger difference in the world as your own boss. Whatever your motivation, entering this contest is a no-brainer when it comes to getting you closer to what you want.
It ultimately comes down to that big idea you’ve been batting around. All you need to do is tell us your inspiration for it, what makes it viable and different from the millions of ideas already out there, and where you see it going. In return we’ll show the winner $2,500 in seed money – and more importantly, thousands of dollars worth of publicity that money can’t buy.
“Some of today’s biggest business ideas are coming from college students, but with today’s economic woes, getting started may seem next to impossible,” says Amy Cosper, VP/editor in chief at Entrepreneur. “So we’re offering a chance of a lifetime to an undergraduate – and I emphasize undergraduate – because there are hundreds of business plan competitions out there for B-school students but very few are exclusively designed for undergraduates.”
“In its 31 years, Entrepreneur has literally helped hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses,” says Cosper. “We’re the authority. Any savvy entrepreneur – whether they’re 10, 20, 30 or 40 – knows that being featured in the magazine is like winning the lotto in terms of getting the national exposure needed to take their business to the next level.”
To enter the contest, submit your online form and video now at www.entrepreneur.com/e2009college, where you’ll also be able to watch a video message from Amy on how to win. Entrants must be undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 25.
An expert panel of judges, including representatives from Entrepreneur’s editorial department and Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. (MBE, franchisor of The UPS Store), will choose the finalists. The panel’s decision will be based on the mission statement for the business idea, the proposed structure of the business idea, and the goals for the first and third years of the business.
“College students embody the true entrepreneurial spirit,” says Stuart Mathis, president of MBE. “We’d like to give them a chance to make their ideas real with the College Entrepreneur of 2009 search.”
$2,500, Publicity Money Can’t Buy, and Even More Cool Prizes
In addition to the start-up capital for the College Entrepreneur of 2009, the winner will also be profiled in the January 2010 issue of Entrepreneur magazine and be honored at an awards luncheon and ceremony in Miami, Fla. The winner will also receive two roundtrip tickets within the continental U.S., a gift certificate for $500 in free services at The UPS Store, a three-year subscription to Entrepreneur magazine and a selection of Entrepreneur Press books.
Entry criteria and the complete rules can be found on www.entrepreneur.com/e2009college. The deadline to enter is June 15.
About Entrepreneur Media Inc.
Entrepreneur Media Inc. is the premier content provider for and about entrepreneurs. Our products engage and inspire every day with the advice, solutions and resources that fuel the bold and independent way entrepreneurs think.
After 31 years, nobody reaches more growing businesses. As the original magazine for the small and midsize business community, Entrepreneur continues to be the definitive guide to all the diverse challenges of business ownership. Entrepreneur.com is the most widely used website by entrepreneurs and emerging businesses worldwide. Entrepreneur Press publishes the books that turn entrepreneurial skills into business success.
To learn more, visit www.entrepreneur.com.
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About The UPS Store
The UPS Store retail locations are franchised by Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., a UPS subsidiary. Together The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations comprise the world’s largest franchise network of retail shipping, postal and business service centers, with more than 6,000 locations around the world. In the United States, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. Outside the United States, locations are owned and operated by MBE master licensees or their franchisees. For additional information, please visit www.theupsstore.com or www.mbe.com.
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