five award winners at launchU 2013
The Creativity and Leadership Program at Oberlin College & Conservatory is pleased to announce that five groups of entrepreneurs won a Venture Development Award at the inaugural LaunchU Accelerator Pitch Competition on January 26.
An adjudication panel of five investors and entrepreneurs entertained pitches from 28 current students and alumni, given in front of a public audience in Clonick Hall. Four ventures received $4,000 in support of their business development; a fifth team was recognized with an honorable mention award of $1,000.
about launchU
LaunchU is an intensive program designed to accelerate the development and launch of Oberlin entrepreneurs. Culminating in a public pitch competition before a panel of investors, the program provides a forum in which aspiring entrepreneurs can refine their ideas, develop both skills and networks, and compete for investment opportunities, services, and mentorship, as well as $10,000 in venture-development prizes.
Alumni and current students with compelling entrepreneurial ideas and ventures are invited to apply to participate. Participants will be selected through a competitive screening process.
LaunchU is a program of Creativity & Leadership at Oberlin College & Conservatory.
program overview
The program opens in early January with the LaunchU Boot Camp, an intensive series of venture-development workshops: business model innovation; proving your concept; early-stage financial matters; legal issues; branding, positioning, and marketing; and presentation skills. (Note: Bootcamp workshops will be live-streamed for off-campus participants).
The LaunchU Accelerator will bring LaunchU participants together on campus with alumni and faculty mentors for workshops, case studies, individual mentoring, pitch preparation, and more.
The program culminates with the LaunchU Pitch Competition, in which participants will present their business plans to real-world investors for both funding opportunities and feedback.
