The Louisiana Tech TOP
DAWG New Venture
Championship
What is the purpose of the
New Venture Championship?
The Bulldog Entrepreneurs are presenting the Louisiana Tech New Venture
Championship to foster interdisciplinary interaction,
entrepreneurship, and innovation, among students at
Louisiana Tech University. Students enrolled in any
Louisiana Tech college are encouraged to form teams,
brainstorm new business ideas or innovations, and compete
for cash prizes and the opportunity to present their ideas
to a group of interested potential investors.
Who is eligible to compete?
The TOP TEN winning teams that competed
in the 2011 TOP DAWG Idea Pitch are eligible to compete in
the 2012TOP DAWG New Venture Championship.
Undergraduate, graduate students and recent alumni (within
one year of graduation) may participate. Faculty members are
not eligible to participate on the team. The number of
members per team is limited to two to six members.
In order to have a stronger team, it is recommended, but
not mandatory, that at least two different disciplines be
represented on each team. Teams must not have started
business operations as of January 1, 2012, or received
funding beyond seed stage as of January 1, 2012. A student
is not allowed to participate on more than one team.
Are there criteria for the type of
business which may be planned?
“For Profit or Not For Profit”
investment decks that include significant innovation in either a
service or product offering typically score higher in the
competition. The innovation itself is NOT required to be
the product. For example, the innovation may enhance the
delivery or availability of a particular product or service.
All submitted businesses must be legal under Federal or
State of Louisiana statutes and any other applicable law.
When and by whom will the final
submitted investment decks be judged?
A committee consisting of experienced
external business professionals will be the official judges
for the competition. The final round of judging will take
place on April 17, 2012.
The TOP DAWG New Venture Championship will be the
birthplace of many innovative business enterprises which
actually begin operations in Louisiana.
Accordingly, in addition to receiving cash prizes and
in-kind support, the selected winners may have the opportunity to present their
investment decks before groups of
outside, prospective investors.
What Pre-Competition Support and
Mentoring will be available?
The following individuals will be
available to advise and consult with all teams during the
preparation process:
Deborah Inman
Coordinator of Entrepreneurial Studies
Louisiana Tech University
debinman@cab.latech.edu
Dr. Mark Barker
Lecturer of Mechanical Engineering
Louisiana Tech University
mbarker@latech.edu
Richard Kordal
Director of Intellectual Property and Commercialization
Louisiana Tech University
rkordal@latech.edu
Mentors for teams include:
Dr. Andrea Drake:
adrake@latech.edu
Dr. Son Le: sle@latech.edu
Dr. Davy Norris:
dnorris@latech.edu
Ms. Carol Shaver:
cshaver@latech.edu
Ms. Kathy Wyatt: kwyatt@latech.edu
There are many
sources available on the web and in libraries which provide
models for preparing investment desks. The Louisiana Tech
Prescott Memorial Library has a special display containing
business planning books/resources and a business planning
resource webpage.
Beta Alpha Psi
tutors are available for accounting consultations. Session
times TBA.
The Resource
Page on the Bulldog Entrepreneurs website has useful marketing research
information.
http://be.latech.edu/Resources.htm
Thanks for your interest in Louisiana Tech’s TOP DAWG New
Venture Championship, presented by Bulldog Entrepreneurs. Good luck with your
innovative enterprise and may the best plan win!