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Business Plan Competition

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: I am an alumnus of Pepperdine University; can I submit a business plan?
A: Teams are eligible as long as at least one member of the team is a currently enrolled student of Pepperdine University. Anyone graduating in August 2011 and beyond qualify as currently enrolled.

Q: Can I submit a plan for an extension/new addition to an already established business or product?
A: All proposed businesses must be new / original businesses and products. Additions to existing businesses or products are not eligible to compete.

Q: I have already registered my company and team members. Can I make changes to my company name and add/delete team members?
A: Changes to the company name and team members can be made up to the submission of the final business plan. Once you register your team, your main contact person will be sent information about final business plan submissions on Sakai.

Q: Can I enter other business plan competitions if I enter the Pepperdine University Business Plan Competition?
A: We encourage all teams to enter into as many competitions as possible. There are many business plan competitions available to students. The planning committee for the Pepperdine University Business Plan Competition will often post the names of national and international business plan competitions on the Business Plan Web site. Also, look on the Web and at other schools to see if there are other competitions out there that your team may be interested in.

Q: Can I enter more than one business plan into the competition?
A: There is no limit to the number of plans individuals enter into the Pepperdine University Business Plan Competition as long as team eligibility requirements are maintained. While there is no limit, we do recommend that individuals focus their efforts on one business proposal.

Q: What is the Fast Pitch round?
A: After all business plans have been submitted, teams that meet the eligibility requirements will make a 90-second fast pitch to a panel of judges. Eight teams will be selected from the fast pitch round to advance to the semi-finals. The top four from the semi-final round will advance to the final round. For more information, please refer to the "90-Second Fast Pitch Competition" portion of the Protocol for Teams section.

Q: I submitted a plan last year; can I submit the same plan this year?
A: As long as the company has not made revenue, you may submit the same plan. If you have questions about what constitutes revenue, please contact the Business Plan Committee.

Q: I consider my plan to be proprietary. How is my confidentiality protected?
A: Once proposals and business plans are submitted, the judging and organizing committees are the only people who will see the business plans. However, if your plan is chosen to compete in the final round, then a 20 minute presentation in front of students, faculty, administration, business community professionals and potential investors will be required. See section on Confidentiality for more information.

For further questions about the Business Plan Competition, please contact:

Diane Singel (MBA '02)
Business Plan Competition Administrator
Director of Administration, Full-time Programs
.