Important Dates
Below are the key dates for the competition. Please note that all submission deadlines are firm and cannot be adjusted for late entrants.
| Important Dates | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 1, 2017 | Entry Period Opens | ||||
| October 3, 2017 | Executive Summary Deadline (8:00 p.m. Central Time) | ||||
| October 30, 2017 | Announcement of Top 50 Teams Advancing | ||||
| November 21, 2017 | Business Plan Submission Deadline (8:00 p.m. Central Time) | ||||
| January 8, 2018 | Announcement of Top 10 Finalist Teams | ||||
| February 22 - 24, 2018 | Competition Event / Final Presentations | ||||
2018 Eligibility
The 2018 Baylor New Venture Competition is open to all not-for-profit accredited university students and recent alumni. For further information on team eligibility, visit the Entering the Competition page.
We accept entries from current students and recent alumni from institutions across the nation and internationally. There is no limit to the number of teams from a single university that may apply. Please make sure to review our Eligibility Guidelines to make sure your team is eligible before entering.
Competition Format
Below is a brief description of how the rounds take place as the applicant pool is narrowed during the course of the competition:
- Documentation Rounds: Online
Round 1: Executive Summary
To enter, teams will submit a 2-page Executive Summary of their business concept. See Entering the Competition for guidelines on the Executive Summary submission. A round of judging will take place, and the top 50 teams will be chosen and notified of their advancement to the next round. Entries must be received by 8:00 p.m. Central Time on October 3, 2017.
Round 2: Business Plan
These 50 teams will submit a full business plan. See Entering the Competition for guidelines on the Business Plan submission. Of the 50 teams, 10 finalists will be chosen.
- Live Presentation Rounds: In Person
Pre-Competition Activities (Thursday and Friday)
Thursday, February 22, will consist of individualized, in-depth coaching sessions only.
Friday, February 23, will consist of speakers and feedback sessions.
Finals: Morning (Saturday)
On the morning of Saturday, February 24, the first 5 of the 10 finalist teams will present to a panel of judges in the Morning Finals. Judges will score each team and record feedback comments.
Finals: Afternoon (Saturday)
The remaining 5 of the 10 finalist teams will present to the panel of judges in the Afternoon Finals. Judges will score each team and record feedback comments.
Judging Review and Final Scoring (Saturday)
Judges will review all that has been presented and finalize their scoring. Award winners will be determined and announced at the awards banquet on Saturday evening.
