The competition has grown from a modest internal competition here at the College of Business that went statewide in 1990, and national in 1991. It grew to include colleges and universities throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico from 1992 through 1996, and in 1997 went International with invitations to universities from Norway, Australia, Germany, Japan, Ecador and London. 1998 included participants from South Africa, Russia, Ecador and Mexico. 1999 saw SDSU win the competition for the first time in ten years. All team members must have a key role in the company's management team and have significant equity positions.
Evaluation takes place in two parts.
Judges evaluate the written plans a few weeks prior to the competition. Judges ultimately consider the entire business concept looking at overall feasibility, combined with significant captail gains potential, attractive investment possibilities and actual implementation. They are there to help them with any SD questions and just make them feel welcomed in general. In the past, some hosts have welcomed their team at the airport, taken them sightseeing, etc. It is not an obligation to go this far - the idea is just to give our visitors some local support.