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Business Plan Competition
You find yourself today on the wrong side of the line. The side you are on is the side where you are still just a student taking classes, doing homework, going to work; you know, the usual stuff. On the other side of the line is where the entrepreneurs stand. Those brave souls who have…
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Fund a New Business Concept with Kickstarter
Got a great new idea for a venture and need some money to get it going? Consider Kickstarter. Kickstarter (http://www.kickstarter.com/) is a web based funding platform focused on a broad spectrum of creative projects. The hope is to fund projects like albums, films, and specific works of art, science or business with real business models.…
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Business Models and Customer Segmentation
One of the most important steps in creating a business model for a start-up enterprise or for a new product line is the definition of the target customer segments. Typically the customer segment definition focuses on the needs or wants of particular groups of potential customers. But how does one find these needs or wants?…
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CSUF Business Plan Contest – Apply Now
The CSUF Business Plan Contest has over $20,000 in cash, in-kind services & prizes for new business ideas. The purpose of the Business Plan Competition is to encourage teams to develop a viable business concept, to evaluate its appropriateness and potential success in the market, and to identify critical issues to resolve when evaluating the…
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CSUF Investor Panel
Every semester, students taking entrepreneurship courses at Cal State Fullerton present their business plans to a group of (mock) investors. These investor panels are comprised of members of the local business community who have extensive experience in a variety of different disciplines and industries. Many of the panelists have also been involved with a number…
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Are Business Plans Dead?
I recently participated in a global entrepreneurship conference attended by entrepreneurship academicians, entrepreneur “wannabees”, and a few “real” entrepreneurs. A vigorous discussion emerged about the value of business plans at the university versus the usage of business plans in the “real” world. The general consensus was that angel investors (i.e. angel networks), private equity investors,…
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CSUF Entrepreneurship Sponsors Fast Pitch with Tech Coast Angels
Our relationship with Tech Coast Angels (TCA) is growing. Please note our partnership at the upcoming TCA “fast pitch competition” on February 24. Eight to ten early stage companies, chosen from more than 100 applicants, will be selected to present on stage at the event. Each new venture CEO will have 90 seconds to pitch…
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New Venture Sales Forecasting
Forecasting sales at for a new venture requires in-depth research along with educated guess work. There is no substitute for knowing your customers and why they will buy your offering. Buyers will choose your product over the competition because it is different or better. They buy for their own reasons and not yours. Presuming your…
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New Venture Sales Forecasting
Forecasting sales at for a new venture requires in-depth research along with educated guess work. There is no substitute for knowing your customers and why they will buy your offering. Buyers will choose your product over the competition because it is different or better. They buy for their own reasons and not yours. See the…
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Business Plan Blunders
Business plans are like a compass—they point the way for the company and explain the business to the investor. Yet, business plans can tell the wrong story and may even kill the deal with the investor. Here are some examples of business plan blunders to avoid: Lousy Writing: Nothing kills a plan more quickly than…