The University of Nebraska-Lincoln New Venture Competition is a celebration of entrepreneurial learning and competition. All student-created, managed, and owned ventures are welcome. Graduate and undergraduate business plan competitions will be held for Nebraska students during the two-day event. All graduate students are eligible to participate, including executive MBAs. Students will pitch their business plans to judges from the Lincoln and Omaha business community and field questions on current traction, monetization strategies, risky assumptions, and more.
Two grand prizes of $25,000, along with additional cash prizes, will be awarded during the Networking and Awards Reception on Thursday, April 11.
New Venture Schedule
Day 1 - City Union, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
7:30 a.m. Check in for Judges opens, breakfast is available for judges and competitors
8 a.m. Competitor registration opens
8:30 a.m. Welcome and opening remarks
9 a.m. Round #1 Presentations (15 minutes for presentation, 10 minutes judges’ Q&A, 5 minutes transition)
11-11:15 a.m. Judges’ deliberation
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Feedback to competitors
12:15-2 p.m. Lunch for judges and competitors
2 p.m. Round #2 Presentations (15 minutes for presentation, 10 minutes judges’ Q&A, 5 minutes transition)
3:30 p.m. Judges’ deliberation
3:45-4:30 p.m. Feedback to competitors and announcement of finalists
Day 2 - Sheldon Museum of Art
12:50 p.m. Welcome and opening remarks
1-3 p.m. New Venture Presentations (15 minutes for presentation, 10 minutes judges’ Q&A, 5 minutes transition)
3-3:30 p.m. Judges’ deliberations
3-4:30 p.m. Reception and Awards Celebration
Please click "Begin" to register and note that there is an optional upload for business plans.
Free Drop-In Help Sessions and Topics for All New Venture Competitors:
March 4, 5, 6, 7 – 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – Business Model Canvas
March 11, 12, 13, 14 – 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – Sustainability/expansion plan
March 25, 26, 27, 28 – 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – Financials
April 1, 2, 3, 4 – 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – Presentation/PowerPoint slides
All sessions in Howard L. Hawks Hall 315 (Center for Entrepreneurship).
No RSVP is needed.