DETROIT – The Business Accelerator Network for
Southeast Michigan announced that the Accelerate
Michigan Student Idea Competition, with prizes up to $50,000, is now open for registration. The application deadline is Oct. 22.
Open to any undergraduate or graduate student attending a Michigan
college or university in the fall of 2010, the Accelerate Michigan Student
Idea Competition will award $50,000 to the top business ideas and concepts
submitted by Michigan students. All participants are required to submit a
one-page business idea. Semifinalists will submit a three minute video
pitch and formulate a fifteen minute in-person pitch.
“The Accelerate Michigan Student Idea Competition presents an excellent
opportunity to showcase homegrown ideas straight from the state’s future
leaders,” said University Research Corridor Executive Director Jeff Mason.
“These ideas will not only serve as a catalyst to strengthen, transform and
diversify the state’s economy, but will reinforce the commitment from every
college and university in the state of Michigan to educate a workforce
focused on innovation.”
“The University of Michigan is excited to support a competition
dedicated solely to business ideas and concepts from Michigan college
students,” said Dr. Mary Sue Coleman, president of the University of
Michigan, host of the competition’s final events. ” The Accelerate Michigan
Student Idea Competition provides students with an outlet to present their
ideas, and encourages their drive and motivation for shifting Michigan’s
economic landscape.”
The Accelerate Michigan Student Idea Competition is a component of the
larger Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition which uncovers the best
and brightest new business concepts from local and global entrepreneurs,
and exposes those opportunities to potential investment capital and
fostering their growth within Michigan. Slated to be the world’s largest
business competition with more than $1 million in cash awards, plus in-kind
awards of services, staffing and software, the Accelerate Michigan
Innovation Competition targets early stage businesses with proven
technology and potential to generate an immediate impact on Michigan’s
economy.
The New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan has granted Ann Arbor
SPARK $750,000 to launch the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition on
behalf of the Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan, composed
of four of the region’s key business accelerators – Ann Arbor SPARK,
Automation Alley, Macomb-OU INCubator, and TechTown. Joining the Accelerate
Michigan Innovation Competition as partners for event are the University
Research Corridor (Michigan State University, the University of Michigan
and Wayne State University) and Business Leaders for Michigan.
The competition culminates with a gala awards brunch in Ann Arbor on
Saturday, December 11, 2010. The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition
concludes with the University of Michigan vs. Michigan State University
“Big Chill” hockey game at Michigan Stadium.
For more information about the Accelerate Michigan Student Idea
Competition including complete rules and eligibility criteria, click on AccelerateMichigan.Org
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