Take A Taxi, Win A Thou

Have you ever found yourself on an elevator with the one person who could really launch your career? Got that elevator pitch prepared yet? MBA students from all over the United States will get the chance to test their powers of persuasion while on a taxi ride in the Queen City. And there's big money at stake.

Professor Charles Matthews, in UC's College of Business, has created the "UC Spirit of Enterprise MBA Business Plan Competition," inviting teams from across the United States to come to Cincinnati to compete on Feb.24 and 25.

Participating teams will have multiple opportunities to present their new venture concepts and receive feedback from esteemed judges and entrepreneurs. All teams will compete in the morning preliminary rounds, with the final four advancing to the Championship Round where they will compete for the top three spots and prize money. 

Tom Nies, a UC CoB undergrad and MBA alum, and founder of Cincom Systems, Inc., has agreed to furnish the $10,000 first place "Cincom Spirit of Enterprise Champion Award" and will host the event at his World Headquarters in Springdale, including the awards reception dinner at the conclusion of the day’s events. 

The winner of the UC Spirit of Enterprise MBA Business Plan Competition will get an automatic bid to the MOOT CORP® MBA Business Plan Competition at the University of Texas.

The remaining teams will move on to the "UC Taxi Competition." The UC Taxi Competition, new this year, will give teams a ten-minute taxi ride mirroring a chance encounter with a potential angel investor. Cash prizes will be awarded to those teams who convince him/her of their business plan viability -- before the ride comes to a halt.

UC Spirit of Enterprise MBA Business Plan Competition

will start with a reception on Feb. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m.for guest teams. The competition itself will take place on Feb. 25 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an awards reception/dinner to follow immediately thereafter. The event venue is the World Headquarters of Cincom Systems, Inc. on 55 Merchant Street in Tri-County.

UC has received Intent to Compete forms from the following schools so far: 

• University of Cincinnati
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Indiana University
• University of Arizona
• University of Georgia
• University of Louisville
• University of Oregon
• Xavier University
   

Fort Washington Capital Advisors will host the final awards reception and dinner and will sponsor the luncheon on Feb. 25 as well as the Best Technology Plan Award. Rick Kieser at River Cities Capital will co-sponsor the reception and lunch and will help furnish judges for the day. Greater Cincinnati Venture Association will co-sponsor the reception and breaks. Executive Transportation is sponsoring the limos for the taxi round of the competition.
 
For More Information

Charles H. Matthews, Ph.D.     
Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management
Director, U.C. Center for Entrepreneurship Education & Research