Judges Announced for 2015 McGuire New Venture Competition and Showcase
Three McGuire New Venture Competition and Showcase judges will evaluate the 22 McGuire Entrepreneurship Program student startup teams in a rapid-fire rocket pitch competition May 1. Our official NVC judges will pick the winners for the top three awards, but the public is invited to weigh in on a People’s Choice Award. Learn more about the exciting awards and the generous sponsor and partners that make them possible: $45,000 in cash and prizes to be awarded at McGuire New Venture Competition and Showcase
The McGuire NVC judges represent an exceptional level of business leadership experience and commitment to principles of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Meet the Judges
Christopher McGuire, Vice-President of Programs and Director of the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation
Christopher McGuire, a University of Arizona graduate, is the Vice-President of Programs and Director of the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation where he is responsible for executive leadership, vision and oversight for a variety of programs and services, and has initiated new philanthropic endeavors.
The McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship and the McGuire Entrepreneurship Program were both renamed in 2003 in recognition of the vice president and Director of the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, Christopher McGuire, and his wife, Carol. The Palm Desert California based Berger Foundation and its VP provided significant support — financial and personal — to the center and its program, since its inception.
Matt Williams
Matt Williams is Founder and CEO of Pro.com, a home services marketplace where customers get instant price estimates for home projects, find trusted pros and schedule appointments online.
Mr. Williams attended the University of Arizona between 1990-1993, earning a B.S. in Business - Entrepreneurship in three years, Cum Laude with University Honors Distinction.
In starting his career as a technology entrepreneur, Mr. Williams was Co-Founder and CEO of LiveBid.com, a Seattle-based company that pioneered real-time, event-based auctions online. Amazon acquired LiveBid in 1999 and Mr. Williams spent 11 years in a variety of executive roles at Amazon and had the opportunity to shadow Jeff Bezos.
Mr. Williams was CEO of Digg from September 2010 until completing the sale of the company in July 2012. He spent a year as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Andreessen Horowitz before starting Pro.com.
Matt was elected to the University of Arizona Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in 2000.
Clancy Woods, CEO of El Cap Partners
Clancy Woods is a veteran media executive widely recognized for creating successful brands that focus on innovation, product differentiation and strong financial performance. Woods started his career at Nationwide Communications as an account executive and ultimately rose to become Vice President of Radio. He went on to hold senior executive positions at AMFM, Inc., Shamrock Broadcasting and Nationwide Communications, three of the more prominent companies at the center of the historic deregulation and consolidation of the U.S. radio industry. Later, as Senior Vice President at CBS Radio, he had operational responsibility for 60 radio stations and $425 million in annual revenue. In 2002, he was recognized by Radio Ink Magazine as the “Best Large Market” executive in the country.
Mr. Woods is currently the CEO of El Cap Partners, a firm that provides strategic advisory services to companies operating in the media and technology sectors. Current engagements include content and publishing, digital out of home media, and enterprise software.
Mr. Woods was the 2014 Eller Entrepreneurial Fellow.
About the McGuire Program 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. Students are competing for $45,000 in cash and additional prizes.
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.
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
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.