Career & Entrepreneurship Center

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Prizes

Eligibility and Rules

Mark your calendar!

2013 Competition Dates and Prizes

April 18

Competition and Awards Ceremony

• The competition is open to all current SPC full or part-time students enrolled in a degree or certificate program. Prior graduates are not eligible.
• All applications and submissions will be accepted online.
• Non-students may be members of the management team, but are not eligible to present in the competition or receive prize money.
• Eligible students may only submit one entry in the competition and MUST complete an Information Session on campus or online.
• Team submissions will be accepted but all team members must meet the criteria individually and any prizes for winning team entries will be divided equally between student presenters.
• The competition is for student created, managed, and owned ventures therefore students must have:
  
  
  1. played a major role in conceiving the venture
  2. an existing key management role in the business or proposed venture
  3. 50% or more equity in the venture
• An equity position of less than 50% of the entity will be subject to verification of evidence showing that the student is a major contributor to the venture creation.
• The business plan or elevator pitch must represent original work of the student entering the competition.
• The competition is intended for new venture formations, start-ups, early growth stage businesses, or businesses undergoing diversification.
• The winning students will receive cash prizes and students are responsible for the tax implications of those prizes.

Resources

• Business Plan & Elevator Pitch Resources
• On-site CEC resources such as software, books, and access to online periodicals and databases
• Entrepreneurship Guide available through our online library

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Meet the Judges

Tonya Elmore
President, TBIC- Tampa Bay Innovation Center
http://www.tbinnovates.com

Ms. Elmore is a founder and the president of the Tampa Bay Innovation Center. The TBIC is an accelerator for early-stage technology firms that has gained regional, national and international recognition for its success. TBIC has been in operation for over ten years that continues to build momentum in Pinellas County and create opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation in our area. Read More...


Dr. Cynthia Johnson, Ed. D
Senior Manager, PCED-Pinellas County Economic Development Center
http://www.pced.org

Dr. Cynthia Johnson is the Senior Manager of Business Assistance for Pinellas County Economic Development, since 2001. PCED is a government funded business retention, expansion and relocation assistance agency, which promotes new business development and expansion. Dr. Cynthia Johnson has developed a highly professional team committed to creating relevant relationships and partnerships that promote and support the creation of new small and minority businesses in the county. Read More...


Mark E. Swanson
Chairman & CEO, Telovations, Inc.
http://telovations.com

Mark Swanson is a serial entrepreneur who has successfully started six multi-million dollar companies in the last eighteen years. Mark is currently the founder and CEO of Telovations, Inc. a 500, Business Communications Service Provider based in Tampa, Florida. Telovations pioneered the approach of Communications-as-a-Service and is one of the nation’s premier Cloud Communications companies. Mark's previous companies include Cerebit, Perk International, Bacchetta Bicycles, IXL, and Swan Interactive. Mark started his career in the United States Army where he commanded two military units including forming the first unit of Apache attack helicopters. Read More...


Chuck Papageorgiou
CEO & Founder, International Screening Solutions Managing Partner, Ideasphere
http://ideasphere.com

Chuck Papageorgiou is the Co-Founder and CEO of International Screening Solutions a company that provides risk management services to the background screening industry, and the Founder and Managing Partner of Ideasphere—a company that specializes in the high-tech, light manufacturing, logistics, and financial services segments. He brings his global experience in technology and operations, both as a consultant and an executive, to actively assist senior executives of client companies with their organizational strategic challenges. Read More...

Judging Criteria

• Innovativeness of Idea
• Addresses Market Need
• Uniqueness of Solution
• Feasibility of Solution
• Differentiation from Competition
• Credible Industry Facts
• Clear and Sizable Target Market
• Passion and Presentation of Entrepreneur
• Creative Marketing Strategy
• Strength of Leadership Team
• Profit Potential of Business Model and Sound Financial Plan
• Implementable Project Management
• Overall Promise of Concept

Congratulations to our Spring 2012 winners!

Business Plan Winners:

• Nicole Bredeson - 1st Place - $5,000
• Sarah Godbey - 2nd Place - $2,000

Elevator Pitch Winners:

• Josh Martin & Tomasz Symecki - 1st Place - $1,000
• Michelle Whitley - 2nd Place - $500

Special Recognition Awards (alphabetical order):

• Ricardo Colon – Internet/Web & Social Media Concept
• Sarah Godbey – Best Consumer Product
• Sammie Manning - Innovative Concept in Technology
• Ellen Noel - Best Service Concept
• Michelle Whitley – Fitness & Health Concept
• Patricia Wing – Green Concept