Within a trade-show atmosphere, teams pitch their ideas to 90 judges made up of entrepreneurs, investors, lawyers and venture capitalists. You really have to be passionate about your business, said UW MBA student and co-chair Andrea Johnson. The investment round brings out everyone s creativity. Only four teams will make it to the competition s final round held from 1 to 5 p.m., Monday, May 14 in the HUB Auditorium. Teams are judged on experience, market opportunity, team presentation and the potential for financial sustainability.
Winners use the money to start their own companies.
But the money isn t the only reason students want to win. It s the exposure, said Bourassa-Shaw. Winners meet and are pursued by venture capitalists and angel investors. Sponsors include Gray Cary, the Herbert Jones Foundation, Wells Fargo Bank and WRF Capital.