George W. Tippins Business Plan Competition

Entrepreneuring Youth's annual Youth Entrepreneur Regional Business Plan Competition is a showcase for young people to demonstrate their business ideas and talents. The program is sponsored by the Tippins Foundation and named in honor of George W. Tippins, one of Pittsburgh’s most successful entrepreneurs, inventors and financiers of the latter half of the 20th century.

Key Dates:

May 25, 2011 at Duquesne University School of Business
1st Round—9:00 a.m.
Semi-Finals—12:30 p.m.

June 2, 2011 at Rivers Club, Downtown Pittsburgh
Finals—1:00 p.m.

What Happens At Competition?

Entreprenuering Youth's students showcase their businesses and operating strategies through a series of competitions, through which they present and defend their business plan to a panel of local entrepreneurial business and community leaders who serve as judges.

These young entrepreneurship students first develop their ideas and business plans in Entrepreneuring Youth programs sponsored by schools and not-for-profit organizations. Guided by their teachers and volunteer coaches, these students assess the marketplace, identify niche opportunities, create financial projections for their business and outline a philanthropic plan for giving back to their community.

Constructive competition is an integral part of Entreprenuering Youth's entrepreneurship education programs. The competitions provide participants a unique opportunity to hone their marketing, presentation and communication skills; network with local business leaders who serve as competition judges and coaches; and compete for “seed capital grants” to support their business or academic goals.

 

Volunteer judges listen to and evaluate business plan presentations using an established set of criteria and standardized rating scale and scoring format that looks at seven specific areas:

1. Market Research/Analysis of Product/Service

2. Competitive Advantage and Selling Strategies

3. Research of Costs

4. Financial Planning and Forecast

5. Future Plan and Orientation

6. Professionalism

7. Feasibility

Then stay for our celebration: Ignite Possibilities: A Celebration of Youth Entrepreneurship! Learn more about this fun and exciting event that culminates the Business Plan Competition. We have a business expo where the entrepreneurs can show off their companies and a special reception where we will be awarding the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners of the Competition.