Advanced Traction Bracket

Teams must report if they have competed in prior University of Nebraska–Lincoln competitions AND been awarded $7,500 or more (total across all competitions). Following a completed registration indicating the $7,500 award criteria applies to them, teams will be notified that they have been placed in the Advanced Traction Bracket. If a team fails to notify the Center for Entrepreneurship that they meet the Advanced Traction Bracket criteria, they will be disqualified from the competition and from future competitions. Teams presenting the same business more than once will be limited to two New Venture Competition experiences, once in the traditional bracket and once in the Advanced Traction Bracket. The Advanced Traction Bracket will take place only if two or more qualified teams register to compete within the same year.

Advanced Traction Bracket teams will not compete during rounds one and two. Placement in this bracket automatically advances the team to the final round of competition on day two where they’ll compete against one another. These presentations will occur before the traditional bracket presentations, during a morning session.

Advanced Traction Bracket teams are required to submit their business plan for judge review one week prior to their presentation. Teams should provide a high-level view of the business and presentations must include these elements and/or be prepared to answer these questions from judges:

• Present a robust financial analysis, including projections, revenue and profit when compared to the last time the team competed
• Include details about venture updates, pivots and changes when compared to the last time the team competed
• Provide updates regarding competitors and customers when compared to the last time the team competed and consequent marketing strategy adjustments
• Provide information about defined roles and organizational structure and any gaps that exist within both
• Provide short (within the next year) and long (2-3 years) term plans
• Address what worked, what didn't work, and how the team pivoted
• Give a 5-minute presentation following the traditional bracket competition during the afternoon of day 2. This presentation should be a very brief overview of the business as it is today and is not intended to feel like a pitch. Basically, tell the audience who you are, what you're doing, why you're doing it, and what help you might need.

There will be no defined First, Second, Third, etc. place prior to the competition. These placings, and associated prize money, will be determined solely by the judges on competition day and may vary from year to year. Advanced Traction Bracket teams will be awarded their place/prize money during the Entrepreneur Award Celebration along with the traditional bracket teams.

Timeline