Five Ventures business competition issues call for entries

Ninth Annual Five Ventures® Business Plan Competition Begins

Charlotte Research Institute Issues the Call for Entries

The Charlotte Research Institute at UNC Charlotte has launched its 2010 Five Ventures® Business Plan Competition with a call for business plan entries.

Local entrepreneurs throughout the Southeast region can now submit executive summaries in order to compete for more than $100,000 in cash and in-kind services. To date, Five Ventures® has serviced in excess of 60 startup companies. During the past several years, these companies have raised approximately $40 million in private equity.

The deadline for business plan applications is Feb. 16, 2010.

Five Ventures® is open to any aspiring entrepreneur with an early-stage high-growth business within the Southeast region of the country. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to submit their executive summaries via the www.FiveVentures.comwebsite. Startups from the following sectors are encouraged to apply: Pharmaceutical, Medical Devices, Energy, Green Tech, Information Technology, Software-as-a-Service, Advanced Manufacturing, Advanced Materials, Retail and Student-led businesses from any sector.

Finalists will receive one-on-one mentoring and coaching from a network of more than 50 volunteer professionals throughout the region. The finals of Five Ventures® will take place April 13.

The Belk College of Business is a lead sponsor of Five Ventures®.