Clemson’s Spiro Institute announces business competition

CLEMSON, SC – October 6, 2010 – Students with an entrepreneurial flair are encouraged to submit their business concepts to the Launch Pad competition.

Created by the Arthur M. Spiro Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership at Clemson University, Launch Pad recognizes the need to provide experiences beyond the classroom for young entrepreneurs, inventors and developers. Launch Pad helps individuals or teams develop new business concepts and move toward the formation of new companies.

The competition is for new, independent ventures in the seed, startup or early growth stages that are presenting a new business concept. The following concepts are specifically encouraged: Social impact projects focusing on the triple bottom line (people, planet, profit); patented products or technologies licensed from universities or research labs; and new business concepts that have a unique selling proposition.

The competition is open to all full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students as well as any residents of South Carolina who want to participate. Applicants may be individuals or teams of up to four members.

Deadline for entering the competition is Oct. 29.

To enter, complete a one-page executive summary of the business and prepare a five-minute, five-slide presentation. More information on the competition is at http://business.clemson.edu/Spiro/.

Cash awards will be made to the first-, second- and third-place teams. Finalists will receive honorable mention awards. Other prizes include BrightStart Bundle of Services, including legal, marketing and information technology advice for startup executives, assistance in developing a business plan, access to an all-star mentoring network and introduction to Angel Capital investors and SC Launch! funding. Launch Pad is a special collaboration of the Spiro Institute with SC Launch!