SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
The Nevada Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (NCET) announced the 2011 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition has received a record 73 business plan entries from college students across the state. This is a 30 percent increase from last year. NCET will announce winners for the seventh annual competition at the Awards Dinner and Gala on Thursday, April 20 at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa.
“We are excited that we received this level of interest for the competition this year,” said Dave Archer, CEO of NCET. “Each year we see more and more students understand the importance and value of putting a business plan together. College faculty members are also seeing this value and have assisted and encouraged many of student teams to submit an entry.”
The Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup is the only state-wide collegiate business plan competition which encourages students from Nevada’s universities and colleges to consider entrepreneurship as a career option, and gives students real-world experience in developing business plans. During the competition, students will receive feedback and guidance from Nevada’s business community as they compete for cash prizes totaling nearly $100,000 dollars. Three winning graduate teams and three winning undergraduate teams will be awarded the $20,000 first prizes, $10,000 second prizes and $5,000 third prizes. A special Lt Governor’s Award of $5,000 will also be presented to the business plan that best employs clean, renewable or efficient energy technologies and services. The Lt Governor’s Award is sponsored by NV Energy.
The 2011 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition Awards Dinner and Gala will feature a live “elevator pitch” competition in which the student team captains will take part. The evening will also feature a keynote speech from Jamie Naughton of Zappos.com. Lt. Governor Brian K. Krolicki will return as the master of ceremonies.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Dave Archer at [email protected] or (775) 315-7635. Tables of eight are also available for just $750.
For table sales or other Governor’s Cup information, please visit www.GovCupNevada.com or contact Roxanne DeCarlo at [email protected] or (775) 853-4226 or (702) 944-9722
About The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation is a national philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the late media entrepreneur for whom it is named. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, it is one of the largest private foundations in the United States.
About Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology
NCET is an independent award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps Nevadan start and grow new businesses by providing educational services and by connecting them to the resources they need to succeed. NCET is an independent award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded by public contributions, sponsorships, program revenues and limited grants. NCET is not affiliated with the State of Nevada and receives no state funding. Please visit www.NCET.org for more information, or contact Dave Archer at [email protected] or (775) 315-7635.
