Is a College of Charleston Student the Next Steve Jobs?

Could a College of Charleston student be the next Steve Jobs or Richard Branson? The Center for Entrepreneurship is banking on it – offering cash to the winner of its iGo Competition, divided into three categories: the idea competition, the business plan competition, and the Green Cup. All ideas must have been submitted by April 1, 2013 and the business ideas and plans will be presented to Charleston-area entrepreneurs on April 12, 2012 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. in room 220 of the Beatty Center (5 Liberty St.).

The idea competition is based on a three-minute elevator pitch about the product, service or charitable activity – no business plan is needed. It is very similar to the ABC reality TV show “Shark Tank.” The pitch cannot be an established or already planned business and the chance of winning improves if an individual/team’s idea has more potential to succeed in the real world.  The winner will receive $750.

New this year are the business plan and Green Cup competitions.

The business plan competition is based on a already planned  product, service or charitable activity (have or are writing a business plan, not just an idea). The top five business plans will be invited to present to a panel of judges and given five minutes to pitch their business with three minutes of Q&A. The winner will receive $2,000, and entrepreneurial mentor, free legal advice for one year from John F. Martin, Attorney at Law (filing fees not included), and free accounting services for one year from John W. Malloney, CPA. The winner will also be assigned entrepreneurial mentor for one year.

The Green Cup seeks to promote better understanding of sustainability and its practice. Participants can create a three minute or less YouTube video about sustainability in our community. The winner will receive $750.

“We would love to see students from all majors across campus participate,” says Associate Professor of Entrepreneurial Students and Competition Coordinator David Desplaces, Ph. D. “This is a tremendous opportunity for entrepreneurial-minded College of Charleston students to demonstrate their creativity. One of the biggest hurdles new entrepreneurs face is finding funding – iGo allows them to jump that hurdle and focus on creating.”

For more information, visit http://go.cofc.edu/igocompetition or contact David Desplaces, Ph.D, at desplacesd@cofc.edu or 843.953.6446.