UPDATE: On behalf of the Tulane Entrepreneurs Association (TEA) and the Levy-Rosenblum Institute for Entrepreneurship, we are pleased to announce the Finalists in the 2012 Tulane Business Plan Competition and the Domain Companies New Orleans Entrepreneur Challenge.

 

Tulane Business Plan Competition Finalists:

Calcula, Stanford University

EpiQi Sciences, Brigham Young University

SODICAN, Tulane University School of Medicine

Domain Companies Challenge Finalists:

Bideo, Loyola University New Orleans

Nanofex, University of New Orleans

ReactWell, L.L.C., Tulane University

 

Congratulations to all of our finalists and thanks again to all of those who submitted your plans to the competition this year.  We will see all of the finalists in New Orleans on April 13th!

 

 

Semi-finals:  We received 52 applications from 18 universities and 4 countries. Below you'll find a list of the 20 Tulane Business Plan Competition contestants and 11 Domain Companies New Orleans Entrepreneur Challenge contestants selected to advance to the second round of competition. The second round of competition commenced on February 3rd and requires semi-finalists to submit a 30 page business plan of their venture by Tuesday, February 28th. We will announce the 3 finalists for both sets of competition on Tuesday, March 13th. The finalists will compete in front of a live audience at Tulane University on Friday, April 13th.

 

Congratulations to our semi-finalists, and many thanks to all that entered!

 

Tulane Business Plan Competition Semi-Finalists:

Bideo, Loyola University New Orleans

Calcula, Stanford University

Child Development Center in China, Tulane University

Chocolate House LLC, University of North Texas

Crescent City Climbing, Tulane University

cycleWood Solutions, University of Arkansas

DualPower Turbines, Purdue University

EpiQi Sciences, Brigham Young University

Invest-a-Tree, Tulane University

LyVac Pharmaceuticals, Tulane University

Medtric Biotech, LLC, Purdue University

MiniVax Louisiana, Inc., Tulane University

Mobile Quality Solutions, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Nanofex, University of New Orleans

New Orleans Fashion Incubator, Loyola University New Orleans 

NOSIDA, Tulane University School of Medicine

Reducto Energy Solutions, University of British Columbia

SODICAN, Tulane University School of Medicine

Sustainable Agriculture Solutions, Universidad de los Andes

Waste 2 Watts, Duke University

 

Domain Companies New Orleans Entrepreneur Challenge Semi-Finalists:

Bideo, Loyola University New Orleans

Crescent City Climbing, Tulane University

Invest-a-Tree, Tulane University

JAS Ratings, Tulane University

LyVac Pharmaceuticals, Tulane University

MiniVax Louisiana, Inc., Tulane University

Mobile Quality Solutions, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Nanofex, University of New Orleans

New Orleans Fashion Incubator, Loyola University New Orleans

NOSIDA, Tulane University School of Medicine

ReactWell, L.L.C., Tulane University

About the 2012 Tulane Business Plan Competition & The Domain Companies New Orleans Entrepreneur Challenge:

The 12th Annual Tulane Business Plan Competition, open to applicants throughout the world, focuses specifically on Conscious Capitalism and will award $50,000 to the company that creates the best sustainable business model. The Domain Companies New Orleans Entrepreneur Challenge will award $20,000 to the company that presents the best plan for the creation or expansion of a New Orleans-based business that demonstrates strong growth potential and positive local impact. 

 

The Tulane Business Plan Competition was founded by students in 2000, with the goal of teaching students interested in entrepreneurship the set of skills needed to start a new venture as well as to expose these young entrepreneurs to investors who could fund their businesses.  In recent years, the contest expanded to include social entrepreneurship ventures from regional, national and international university students. The Tulane Business Plan Competition remains one of the only student run competitions and awards the highest cash prize nationwide.

 

RULES:

Venture Requirements

Both the Tulane Business Plan Competition and The Domain Companies Entrepreneur Challenge are looking to support new, independent ventures in the early growth stage that are built on the principles of conscious capitalism. Capital raised should not exceed $250,000 and the length of business operations should not exceed two years. Any start-up venture that fits these requirements, including non-profits, can enter.

 

Team Requirements

The Tulane Business Plan Competition and The Domain Companies Entrepreneur Challenge are open to all undergraduate and graduate students. Each team must have at least one student member who is currently enrolled or has graduated in the previous academic year from an accredited university. We reserve the right to verify enrollment or graduation date. Student members are expected to have a substantial involvement in the venture, such as an equity stake and/or leadership position. Teams must also have a faculty advisor, which we also reserve the right to verify.

 

Application Activity

There is no limit regarding how many teams from each university can apply. Additionally, teams that have competed in prior competitions may re-enter; however, prior final round finalists are not permitted to enter either the Tulane Business Plan Competition or The Domain Companies Entrepreneur Challenge.

 

Final Round Presentations

Teams that advance to the final round of competition will present before a live audience and panel of judges on Friday, April 13, 2012 at the A.B. Freeman School of Business, Tulane University. All final round plans must be presented by the student team member(s).

 

FAQ:

What is conscious capitalism?

A conscious capitalist company focuses on optimization of stakeholder alignment. Such a company recognizes that no one stakeholder can be compensated in such a way that it damages any other stakeholder and jeopardizes the sustainability of the organization. For example, if the customers were given a level of service and product value that was not fairly reflected in the price there would not be sufficient revenue generated to fairly compensate employees, reward shareholders for risking capital, and making investments in R&D to ensure the future growth of the company. Additional information can be found here.

 

How many rounds are there?

Three. The preliminary round requires a 6-page summary. The judges will select the top 20 plans to advance to the second round, which requires a full business plan. Three plans are selected to go to the final live round at Tulane University.

 

What is needed to apply for the first round?

You will need names, addresses, and phone numbers of all applicants as well as your faculty advisor. You will also need one (1) .pdf file that contains:

• Executive summary (1 page suggested)
• Industry analysis (1 page suggested)
• Market analysis including assumptions that lead to financials (2 pages suggested)
• Financials (2 pages suggested)

The application is limited to 6 pages. The iStart platform will not accept documents longer than 6 pages and the judges will not see them.

 

What is needed for the second round?

A full business plan numbering no more than 30 pages including everything in one (1)  .pdf is required. The subsections are your discretion.

 

If I get to the final round, will you pay for travel?

Final round contestants will receive one $1000 travel stipend per qualifying team.

 

I have my plan in two parts: a word document and an excel spreadsheet for the financials. What should I do?

You should compile them into one (1) .pdf file. We are not able to offer any flexibility with this requirement. Applications received in pieces will not be accepted.

 

How much does it cost?

The application fee is $100 dollars per application. Please pay using the "Pay Now" button on the TEA home page.

 

Can I continually update my plan until the deadline?

Yes!  Thanks to the iStart platform, you can continually update your plan until the deadline is reached.