Nebraska students to pitch their new business ideas at competition
Released on 02/03/2010, at 2:00 AM
Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010
WHERE: Memorial Stadium Skybox Suites
Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 3, 2010 -- The Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship in partnership with Southeast Community College Entrepreneurship Center and the Entrepreneurship Focus Program High School will host the first "Make it Happen -- Student Quick Pitch Competition" at 5 p.m. Feb. 25 in the Skybox Suites of Memorial Stadium [map].
The competition will give Nebraska students an opportunity to showcase their entrepreneurial, communication, and presentation skills through a short "quick pitch" proposal for a new business venture. Students from a variety of Nebraska high schools, two-year colleges and four-year colleges are invited to present their pitches, be evaluated, and receive feedback on the effectiveness of their pitch from a panel of entrepreneurially minded experts from across Nebraska.
The competition will prepare students to "make it happen" in their future careers by communicating their ideas in an effective, business-appropriate way. The 60 students selected to compete will also compete for six cash prizes of $1,000. Prize monies are privately funded.
"Solid communication skills are critical for any business owner," said Kathleen Thornton, acting director of the Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship. "This competition will give students an opportunity to develop those skills and receive feedback from successful business professionals. It will also give them a chance to network with business leaders who have proven to be very supportive of young entrepreneurs."
The competition is open to all Nebraska high school, two-year college, and four-year college students. Event details and competition applications are available at www.entrepreneurship.unl.edu. Applications are due by Feb. 12. The public is welcome to the free competitive event on Feb. 25.
Consistent with its role as a part of Nebraska's land-grant university, the Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship strives to fulfill UNL's responsibility to students who aspire to create jobs rather than take jobs. The mission of the Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship is to inspire and empower UNL students to become world-class entrepreneurs and to help create an entrepreneurial environment that encourages them to do it in Nebraska.