Capstone Business Plan Competition - Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises (EEE)

The Capstone Business Plan Competition

The Capstone Business Plan Competition

Team members We believe that entrepreneurship is not something you do at a particular point in time, but a life-long commitment to a mindset: to dream ... to believe ... to pursue. During their senior year, every undergraduate management major at Syracuse University participates in Whitman’s Capstone experience. Capstone is an experiential program designed to bring together all of the elements of the Whitman education – accounting, finance, strategy, supply-chain, human resources, and entrepreneurship – in the context of an original business concept that the students themselves conceive and develop as a viable, sustainable, and truly innovative new venture.

The capstone experience was the most challenging class... by the end of the class, the excitement and thrill of developing a complete and professional business plan leaves you with a feeling of accomplishment and pride." - Taylor Olson, 07 Marketing

The capstone course, entitled Strategic and Entrepreneurial Management (EEE 457), is much more than a business planning course. The course places unique demands on the student due to its cross-disciplinary nature. The centerpiece of this course is the end result – Our team accomplished so much more than anyone had anticipated, and we overcame every challenge that faced us. This semester really goes prove that hard work pays off.." - David Koeppel, 07 Marketing a new venture based on a business concept that the student-teams propose and develop. This new venture is detailed through a business plan developed by the students. The expectation is that each team’s business plan will be of sufficient quality to be presented to potential investors.

At the conclusion of both the fall and spring semesters the Whitman School of Management and the Department of Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises host the Capstone Business Plan Competition. Each student-team enrolled in the capstone course will present their business plans before panels of judges composed of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and others from the entrepreneurial community in Central New York.

I heard some scary stuff about the class and how much work it demanded. But, I wanted to work hard, because I really loved my idea and the chance to see it become a reality. I never would have had the faith in myself that I have now that I've taken EEE 457... - Ryan Suser 07 Economics/EEE

The competition takes place in two rounds, over two days at the end of the semester, and there are typically between 30 and 45 teams competing each semester. On the first day, all teams present their business concepts and plans to the judges, who evaluate their plans based on the bu The capstone was a learning experience unlike any other in my 16 years of schooling. Focused on what I could learn and take away from a class, than on what my grade might be... - A.J. Frucci, 07 Marketing siness concept, and its viability as a sustainable and ‘grow-able’ business. Approximately five teams are selected to compete in the finals, held the next day using a similar format.

Cash prizes are awarded to the top three teams. In addition, two of the top teams are selected to represent Syracuse at national undergraduate business plan competitions. The EEE Program covers all costs of sending the teams to these competitions.

For more information about the capstone course of the competition, contact Professor Neil Tarallo at ntarallo@syr.edu or by phone at 315-443-3646.

Dream>Believe>Pursue - U.S. News America's Best Colleges 2008 - Entrepreneur Magazine & The Princeton Review 2006 Top 25

Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises
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