UW News

April 27, 2011

UW Bothell Business Plan Competition partners with the Founder Institute

UW News

The Business Development Center at the UW Bothell has developed a partnership with the Founder Institute, an organization created to help entrepreneurs launch technology companies, to enhance business development in the Puget Sound through initiatives such as the UW Bothell Business Plan Competition, to be held May 6.

Twenty-eight student teams have submitted comprehensive business plans in hopes of capturing $20,000 in cash and prizes, including a membership to the Founder Institute fall semester. The competitions final rounds provide competing teams the opportunity to present their plans to a panel of Seattle-area CEOs serving as judges.

“The inaugural business plan competition highlights our core mission, which is to build the economy by developing businesses and talented entrepreneurs,” says Barry Weisband, director of the Business Development Center. “We are delighted with the Puget Sound business communitys generous support of the competition and by our partnership with the Founder Institute.”

Key supporters of the competition include the Herbert B. Jones Foundation, Banner Bank, AXA Financial, Microsoft, Perkins Coie, Palo Alto Software and the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association.

“Business plan competitors need to know that starting a company is an arduous and expensive journey, and that technology entrepreneurship is a constantly evolving discipline.  Early mistakes can be deadly,” says Dave Parker, Founder Institute Seattle director. “The Founder Institute aims to improve the rate of startup success by providing high-potential entrepreneurs with expert mentorship, critical objective feedback and peer support.”

The public is invited to attend the competitions final round on May 6. The event will be held in Mobius Hall on the UW Bothell campus at 4 p.m. To learn more visit the programs website.