Hosted by a pioneer in entrepreneurial education

Since 1972, Carnegie Mellon has linked education and entrepreneurship, teaching the unique skills necessary to bring new products and services to market. In more recent years, the institution, through its Donald H. Jones Center for Entrepreneurship, has focused on the commercialization of technology and biotechnology. As a founding member of Moot Corp®, Carnegie Mellon has a tradition of supporting national competitions for enterprising MBA students.

Mcginnis Venture Competition. A breed apart.

This competition revolves around new technologies. The driving force is pragmatism: helping MBA students move from the dorm room to the board room, bringing new businesses to life. Emerging industries such as information technology, biotechnology, robotics, nanotechnology, telecommunications and others provide unique, high-return opportunities for young entrepreneurs and investors.

Entrepreneurship. A Capital idea.

An important objective of any plan for a new business is to raise capital. MBA students with entrepreneurial aspirations and a compelling business plan will find a receptive audience at the McGinnis Venture Competition. Participants will have an opportunity to interact with our judges, who are venture capitalists, successful entrepreneurs and leading entrepreneurial educators. The competition will serve as an early reality check, pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of every plan.

In each track, the winning team's startup company will receive a first prize of $20,000 as an investment in the firm. The winner of each track will have in-kind prizes for intellectual property and other legal services. Also, the Donald H. Jones faculty will provide advisory services for first-place winners. There will be additional prizes for runners-up and winners of individual events.

While the competition is serious business, there will be plenty of time for relaxation and entertainment. As guests of Carnegie Mellon, team members will enjoy a full schedule of social activities at elite venues throughout the city of Pittsburgh.

The next steps.

If you are interested in sending a team to the McGinnis Venture Competition, or if you want information about sponsoring part of the competition, call us at 412-268-7958, or send an e-mail to djc@andrew.cmu.edu.

The annual McGinnis Venture Competition is made possible by an endowment from Gerald E. McGinnis, a successful entrepreneur and founder of Respironics, Inc.