Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies

Michigan Business Challenge

Student teams that want to put their business skills to the test should participate in the Michigan Business Challenge (MBC). They will gain invaluable feedback from judges, expand networks, and compete for more than $40,000.

All students who write a complete executive summary for their proposed business will compete in Round One of the MBC. Those that advance to Round Two, Semi-Finals, and Finals will write a marketing and financial overview for their company and finish a complete business plan. During each round, teams pitch their businesses to a panel of judges comprised of entrepreneurs and investors and answer their questions.

Business development sessions will be held periodically to help students create their venture and write the relevent documents for their businesses. After each training, the PowerPoint presentation and questions that were asked will be posted on ctools under the group "Zell Lurie Institute." Public business planning resources are also available for teams to use.

Eligibility:

The proposed business may be for a consumer or an industrial product or service or for a detailed acquisition. The business may be for-profit or non-profit, though most competitive businesses demonstrate high growth and/or large market potential.
At least one member of the student team must be the author of the business plan.
This competition is open to all undergraduate and graduate students who are officially registered at the University of Michigan during the 2007-2008 academic year. Teams may add or remove team members throughout the competition.
Teams of students from different colleges within the University may submit a business plan. Only current University of Michigan students may present the business before judges even if the team contains non-students and students from different universities.

The Institute may invite teams that advance beyond Round One to compete in intercollegiate business plan competitions that take place across the country. These contests are opportunities for students to continue developing their plans, to receive more feedback, and to expand their networks. Travel expenses for current University of Michigan students may be covered by the Institute.