On December 14, 2007, the McColl School of Business hosted its annual Executive MBA Business Plan Competition.  The capstone project of the Executive MBA is for participants to work in teams to develop a business plan for an original business idea or a new take on an existing idea. Participants work on this project throughout their second year of the EMBA program in coordination with their Entrepreneurship class.  The project integrates all aspects of the coursework they have covered in the program and for some participants, it is the first step towards a new career as an entrepreneur.

 

On the last day of the Executive MBA program, each team presents their business plan to a panel of ELC members who judge not only the presentation but also the critical data in the business plan. This year we were proud to have Pat Rodgers - CEO, Rodgers Builders; Paul Solitario - Managing Partner,Tobin/Solitario; Melissa McGuire - Director, Sherpa; and Louis Foreman - CEO, Enventys; Executive Producer, Everyday Edisons serve on the judging panel.
 

The team determined to have the best business plan is awarded the David C. Stephens Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award.  The award honors Executive MBA student and entrepreneur David Stephens who passed away in 2005.  This year's competition marked the third presentation of the award.

More than 120 people attended the presentations held in Sykes Auditorium.   The David Stephens Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award was given to Team QLB and their business plan for a patent pending training device designed to improve a baseball players stance and swing. QLB even had a major league baseball player in the audience to endorse the product.

 

Please click here to view a few short clips from each business plan presentation.  We hope to have you join us in the audience for next year's competition.