PLAN iT contest for Hamilton entrepreneurs, innovators, and students

Presented by McMaster University’s Xerox Centre for Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Innovation Factory

PLAN iT is a new opportunity for Hamilton entrepreneurs, innovators, and students to submit their original business plans and compete for major prizes in a process of learning, developing, and making connections.

McMaster University’s Xerox Centre for Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation (XCEEi) and Innovation Factory (iF), have come together to develop a business plan competition that will engage McMaster’s students with Hamilton’s entrepreneurial community.

Participants from across the Golden Horseshoe region are invited to participate by submitting an early stage business plan for consideration in the competition. Up to 50 competitors will be accepted to attend a half-day lecture series at McMaster, with professors from the MTEI program educating participants on how to perfect their plan and move to the next step in creating a business. Competitors will also have the opportunity to network with investors and VIPs from McMaster and Hamilton while discussing their ideas at an exclusive dinner reception held on June 22, 2011 where the top 10 business plans will be awarded with technology prizes and the opportunity to receive a $5000 scholarship to the MTEI program. Additionally, a $5000 cash prize will be awarded to the top social innovator in the competition.

PLAN iT will also serve to promote XCEEI’s newest program: the interdisciplinary Masters in Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MTEI). MTEI is a unique program involving entrepreneurship teams that draw expertise from all disciplines to develop start-up plans for technology-based businesses.

The online submission deadline is June 1, 2011.

Full contest rules, regulations, and criteria can be found at www.plan-it.ca.