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Welcome to the University of Ottawa's
Wes Nicol Business Plan Competition
Landing Page

INTRODUCTION

This is an opportunity for students at the University of Ottawa to compete for top place and a cash award for the best new business plan of the year. Awards are $5,000 for first place, $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place. The winner is eligible to compete against more than 15 other Canadian University teams in the national finals held each year in Ottawa, Canada at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.

The competition will help boost interest in and knowledge of entrepreneurship amongst University of Ottawa students.

Any team of up to four is eligible to enter the competition if at least half of the team members are full time students of the University of Ottawa (either undergraduate or graduate).

To enter, a team must submit:

a) a one page graphical depiction of their business model;

b) a description of the business model of not more than 400 words;

c) a photo of each member of the group and their student status together with a brief bio of not more than 80 words for each member and including a telephone number and email address where each member may be contacted;

d) a business plan with the following elements- i. the elevator pitch explaining the value proposition and giving an example of how the product or service is used by the customer or client and how it adds value for him or her, ii. the business model, iii. the 'pixie dust' in your business model; what innovation you are bringing to your opportunity and how it creates a sustainable competitive advantage for you, iv. how you will raise capital for the venture with an emphasis on self (bootstrap) capitalization, v. how you will acquire clients or customers in a cost effective way using smart (guerrilla) marketing, vi. financial projections;

e) a letter stating that the University of Ottawa may use your material, your bios and your likenesses on the University's and related websites and in any related Media Releases and Public Relations.

For more information, please also see: http://www.dramatispersonae.org/AssignmentsADM3396WesNicolBusinessPlanCompetition.htm.

PRIZES

There will be three prizes for the top business plans:

1st placeFIRST PLACE and $5,000

2ND placeSECOND PLACE and $2,000

3RD placeTHIRD PLACE and $1,000

4TH place etc.HONORABLE MENTION.

Prizes will be shared equally among team members.

Note that the winner of the UOttawa Competition is entered into the National Finals of the Wesley Nicol Business Plan Competition. To learn more about the National Competition, CLICK HERE.

SCHEDULE

Students are encouraged to submit their business models to the UOttawa SOM Business Model Competition which will serve as an entry into the Wesley Nicol Competition as well. Students are also encouraged to participate in the Elevator Pitch competition hosted by the UOttawa Entrepreneur's Club.

Submission: expression of interestSecond Wednesday in January.
Submission of one page business modelFirst Wednesday in February.
Final revisions of business modelThird Wednesday in February.
Announcement of Six Finalists for business model competitionlast day in February.
Business Model CompetitionFirst Wednesday in March.
Submission of Final Business PlanFriday following Business Model Competition.
Announcement of Five Finalists for Wes Nicol CompetitionMonday following Business Model Competition.
UOttawa Wesley Nicol Business PlanSecond Wednesday in March.
National Finalsearly May.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Dr. Bruce M. Firestone, Entrepreneur-In-Residence, bmfirestone@exploriem.org.

UOttawa SOM Business Model Competition

DramatisPersonae.org