$45,000 in cash and prizes to be awarded at McGuire New Venture Competition and Showcase
The 22 McGuire Entrepreneurship Program student startup teams are competing for $45,000 in cash and prizes at the McGuire New Venture Competition and Showcase May 1 thanks to the generous support of our sponsor and partners. Official NVC judges will pick the winners for most awards, but the public is invited to weigh in on the People’s Choice Award (see box for details).
McGuire New Venture Competition and Showcase Awards
- New Venture Competition Grand Prize: $10,000
- New Venture Competition Second Place: $5,000
- New Venture Competition Third Place: $2,500
- People’s Choice Award: $1,000
- Best in Class: $1,000
- Connect Coworking Award: Value $10,800 (see details below)
- Swan/Starts Award: Value: $15,000 (see details below)
Meet our sponsor
About the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation
The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation is located in Palm Desert, California. The Berger Foundation is a catalyst to help others achieve their goals and demonstrate that success can be achieved by mutual cooperation, clear goals and steadfast determination. The foundation only considers grants submitted by trustees and staff. Upholding the values and interests of Mr. and Mrs. Berger, the Foundation seeks out organizations and programs that "help people help themselves" and often awards financial and real estate support for educational, health and social services.
Meet our partners
About Connect Coworking
Connect Coworking is a Tucson collaborative workspace in the Historic Rialto Building. Connect provides entrepreneurs, small businesses and freelancers more than just a desk, more than just a roof, we provide you everything your need to grow and evolve your business. Connect is a place where cutting-edge minds and innovative technology call home; a place where collaboration breeds success, community and change. Located in the historic Rialto Theatre building, Connect Coworking has opened its doors to creative businesses seeking to work in what is truly a city landmark. Located right off 5th St and Congress Street (5/C) in the heart of Downton Tucson, Connect Coworking will offer a full range of amenities, a top notch coworking environment, and networking opportunities and event that make up a large part of our ethos. Come and experience a new way to work!
Connect Coworking is awarding up to four students with 6 months of free space at the Flock level of membership ($450/mo) for a total prize value of $10,800. The students will receive 24/7 full access, resident desk, desk, chair, trash can, recycle, storage, janitorial service, mailbox, printer, copy, scan, fax, internet, coffee, beer, 6 conference room hours per month, patio and balcony access, full kitchen, lounge, recreational room, logo and writeup listed on Connect website. Additionally, Connect will support the students’ new ventures through promotion on the website, social networks, and email newsletters.
For more information, visit connectcoworking.com.
About Swan/Starts
Swan/Starts is a business incubator located in the Catalina Foothills that supports and invests in entrepreneurial companies seeking solutions to the world’s grand challenges: clean energy & water, healthcare, and safe & sustainable food production. Swan/Starts is a boutique operation, working closely with no more than 8 companies at a time. Our support is personalized and customized to the needs of our start-ups. Swan/Starts has assembled a formidable global network of mentors, industry leaders with extensive experience making change happen, serial entrepreneurs, founders and advisors to hundreds of technology-based companies.
We do what we do, because we want to accelerate the discovery of solutions that improve people’s lives and protect our planet. We can’t be everything to everyone. We believe that with focus on the specific domains - clean water and energy, healthcare, and food production - we can have greater impact. We are always looking for companies and individuals who think out-of-the-box. We want creative minds with new ideas and new approaches.
Swan/Starts is offering six months free rent in a furnished office, with access to printer, wifi, common space, conference room, kitchen, etc., in a vibrant congenial office with other like-minded entrepreneurs, plus access to our global network of industry leading mentors, and free IP services. Value: $15,000.
For more information, visit swanstarts.com.
About the McGuire New Venture Competition and Showcase
Come cheer on the McGuire Entrepreneurship Program student startup teams as they present their new ventures in a rapid-fire rocket pitch competition and an interactive trade show. McGuire Entrepreneurship Program students receive a year of intensive experiential education that engages them in the process of moving innovation from an early-stage idea to a sustainable investor-ready venture.
2015 McGuire NVC Schedule
9 a.m. - Trade Show
10 a.m. - Round 1 Rocket Pitches
12:45 p.m. - Food Truck Roundup
2 p.m. - Business/Law Exchange Presentation
2:30 p.m. - Round 2 Finalist Pitches
4 p.m. - Trade Show
5 p.m. - Awards Ceremony
5:30 p.m. - Reception
All events take place at the Eller College of Management in McClelland Hall, 1130 E. Helen St., in the Berger Auditorium and adjoining Estes Atrium. Please plan to join us for this exciting event! It is free and open to the public.