CSUN Students full of innovative entrepreneurial ideas will have an opportunity to present them in front of a panel of judges, with the opportunity to win a $25,000 prize.
David Nazarian College of Business and Economics will partner with LACI@CSUN for the upcoming Bull Ring New Venture Competition, an on-campus pitch competition, which is similar to ABC’s “Shark Tank.”
“There is a ton of momentum right now at CSUN for innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Ryan Holbrook, CSUN’s Entrepreneurship program director. “The Bull Ring is one of many new initiatives cross-campus that equips students with the resources, skills and mindset to harness their drive and creativity and execute on their ideas.”
A series of startup workshops will be offered to students interested. It is designed to assist student entrepreneurs by giving them the opportunity to talk to mentors and coaches while preparing for the Bull Ring competition. The workshops will start at 4:40 p.m., every Thursday in February in Juniper Hall 4117.
Holbrook said students can learn critical startup skills, such as determining the right product fit, building a solid business model and pitching to investors. Students will also have the opportunity to meet with venture capitalists, early stage investors and successful entrepreneurs who will also be serving as judges.
For teams to qualify, 50 percent of the all team must include members who are current CSUN students as of 2015-2016 academic year. Fall 2015 graduates are also eligible. All applications will be due by March 6.
“While we were planning the Bull Ring, we knew that we wanted to make it open to all students cross-campus,” said Holbrook. “Significant, game-changing innovations often happen at the intersection of disciplines, and we want to encourage and foster new perspectives and collaborations amongst our students.”
The 20 semi-finalist teams will be selected and awarded $250 each and invited to participate in the semi-finals. Each of the teams will be given a trade-show style booth to pitch their ideas to the audience and judges. The field will then be narrowed down to six teams who will compete in the finals.
The first place winners from the final round will receive $25,000, second place will receive $15,000 and third place will receive $5,000. In addition to the prize money, the three winning teams will also be given sponsorships of legal services valued at over $5,000 each and three month free trial membership to LACI@CSUN, the on-campus business incubator.
For any additional information you can visit www.csunbullring.com or www.csun.edu/entrepreneurship-program.
