McMaster launches start-up competition

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Elbestawi-07.jpg” caption=”Mo Elbestawi, vice president, Research and International Affairs. File Photo. “]Budding entrepreneurs in Hamilton, Halton, Niagara, Brant and beyond will have the chance to win funding, office space and entry into a regional business contest through a new start-up competition launched at McMaster University.

The McMaster Start-Up Challenge is being organized by the Xerox Centre for Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation and sponsored by the Office of Research and International Affairs at McMaster to spur and support new business ideas at the university and throughout the region.

“There are an amazing number of business ideas on this campus and in this area,” said Mo Elbestawi, vice president, Research and International Affairs. “With a bit of support and encouragement, some of them may have the chance to develop into thriving businesses.”

Competition prizes include $15,000 in cash to be shared by three winners, free space in the new McMaster Innovation Park for two entries, and qualification for three entries in the LaunchPad $50K competition this May. An entry can win more than one prize.

“There are a lot of great ideas around but are they really good business ideas and do the inventors have what it takes to make them work,” asks Rafik Loutfy, director, Xerox Centre for Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation. “This competition is a great chance to get free professional feedback from business experts.”

There are three rounds to the challenge. Round one requires submission of an executive summary describing the business idea. The submission deadline is Monday, March 12. Entries will be reviewed and the best ones will qualify for the second round.

Round two will involve presentations, including demonstrations of prototypes if available. Qualified teams will go through in depth probing in the final round by a panel composed of business experts, technology experts and venture capitalists. The final two rounds will be held March 16 in the McMaster University Student Centre.

Full entry information and competition details are available at: www.mcmasterchallenge.com Inquiries can be emailed to
contact@mcmasterchallenge.com.

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[img_inline align="right" src="http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Elbestawi-07.jpg" caption="Mo Elbestawi, vice president, Research and International Affairs. File Photo. "]Budding entrepreneurs in Hamilton, Halton, Niagara, Brant and beyond will have the chance to win funding, office space and entry into a regional business contest through a new start-up competition launched at McMaster University.<br />
<br />
<p>The McMaster Start-Up Challenge is being organized by the Xerox Centre for Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation and sponsored by the Office of Research and International Affairs at McMaster to spur and support new business ideas at the university and throughout the region.<br />
<br />
<p>"There are an amazing number of business ideas on this campus and in this area," said Mo Elbestawi, vice president, Research and International Affairs.  "With a bit of support and encouragement, some of them may have the chance to develop into thriving businesses."<br />
<br />
<p>Competition prizes include $15,000 in cash to be shared by three winners, free space in the new McMaster Innovation Park for two entries, and qualification for three entries in the LaunchPad $50K competition this May.  An entry can win more than one prize.<br />
<br />
<p>"There are a lot of great ideas around but are they really good business ideas and do the inventors have what it takes to make them work," asks Rafik Loutfy, director, Xerox Centre for Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation.  "This competition is a great chance to get free professional feedback from business experts."<br />
<br />
<p>There are three rounds to the challenge. Round one requires submission of an executive summary describing the business idea. The submission deadline is Monday, March 12. Entries will be reviewed and the best ones will qualify for the second round.<br />
<br />
<p>Round two will involve presentations, including demonstrations of prototypes if available. Qualified teams will go through in depth probing in the final round by a panel composed of business experts, technology experts and venture capitalists. The final two rounds will be held March 16 in the McMaster University Student Centre.<br />
<br />
<p>Full entry information and competition details are available at:  <a href="http://www.mcmasterchallenge.com/">www.mcmasterchallenge.com</a> Inquiries can be emailed to <a href="mailto:contact@mcmasterchallenge.com"><br />
contact@mcmasterchallenge.com</a>.

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