Business Plan Competition
Providing Capital to the Best Student Ventures
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gvsu business plan competition logo

The Business Plan Competition serves to stimulate and nourish the student entrepreneurial spirit. It seeks to encourage entrepreneurially oriented graduate and undergraduate students, from any major, to take key steps toward developing and growing new business ventures.

The Competition also provides a forum where participating students develop critical skills in pitching their ventures to investors, which increases the probability of successfully launching their ventures.

Finally, each year, the Business Plan Competition will provide the best of these ventures with startup capital to assist the winning students launch their business venture.
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Meet the Student Participants & Judges
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Winners Announced:

1st - Miles Smith, B.A.H.R.S.

2nd - Bo Anderson, Jon Rasmussen & Sam Rasmussen, Designer Vents

3rd - Thad Cummings, AL & S Solutions

Buzz Award - Ryan Skonieczny, Converj Social Media (1144 likes)
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Kathy Crosby

Kathy Crosby  Keynote Speaker

Kathy Crosby, CEO of Goodwill Industries and a member of the organization since 1980, will provide the keynote address at this year's Business Plan Competition on March 29.

Goodwill of Grand Rapids, a $30.1 million organization serving west, central Michigan employs 560 people on a long-term basis and another 200 transitional ‘trainees’ at any point in time. In 2011, Goodwill provided vocational-related service to 3,353 people and placed 978 into community employment.

Prior to arriving at Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, she served at Goodwill Industries International (GII) near Washington, D.C. She joined that office in January, 2000 and advanced to Sr. Director of Consultative Services. From 1980 through 1999, Kathy worked for Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit. There she advanced to the position of Vice President of Workforce Development and served on the Workforce Development Board in southern Wayne County.

In 2011, Kathy received the Athena Award from the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and in March 2012 was named one of the “50 Most Influential Business Women in West Michigan” by the Business Journal.

Read more about Kathy Crosby here
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Vote for the Social Media Buzz Award!
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2010 GVSU Business Plan Competition Finalists

Why Compete?

The GVSU Business Plan Competition is a push to start the business development thought process. Many times, the only barrier students face is motivation. If $5,000 isn't enough motivation, then perhaps the 1 credit independent study course will be beneficial for students who get to the 'business plan' round. 1st Place: $5,000; 2nd Place: $3,000, 3rd Place: $1,500, and Social Media "Buzz" Award: $250.

In addition, we provide valuable networking opportunities with local entrepreneurs and community business leaders. Take advantage of consulting services offered, and seek help when necessary.

View the photo blog here.
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Previous Winners

2012 BPC Winners

  1. $5,000-Miles Smith, B.A.H.R.S.
  2. $3,000-Bo Anderson, Jon Rasmussen & Sam Rasmussen, Designer Vents
  3. $1,500-Thad Cummings, AL & S Solutions
  4. $250-(Buzz Award) Ryan Skonieczny, Converj (1144 likes)

2011 BPC Winners

  1. $5,000-Luke Richard, G.R. Greens
  2. $3,000-Jeramiah Cornell & Mu Yang,
    The Great American Culture Company
  3. $2,000-Frank Leonard, Keg Regulator
  4. $500-(Buzz Award) Joseph Presutti & Cory Cain,
    Suckers for a Caus    e  (651 likes)
     

 

2010 BPC Winners

  1. $5,000-Joe Pohlen, JTP Management
  2. $3,000-Luke Richard, G.R. Greens
  3. $2,000-Tyler Hering, HopTent Brewpub

2009 BPC Winners

  1. $5,000-Tyler Way, T. Way Customs
  2. $3,500-David Veldt,
    Lumberyard Baseball & Softball Training
  3. $2,000-Katie Racey, Formal Freedom, LLC

2008 BPC Winners

  1. $5,000-DormTshirts.com
  2. $3,500-Helping Hands Learning Center
  3. $2,000-Digital Wingman
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