The Red and Black

Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: News

HANKS

University students with innovative aspirations can learn from industry professionals through an entrepreneurship contest.

The first Next Top Entrepreneur contest orientation, a seminar series hosted by the Terry College of Business, will be held in room 213 of Sanford Hall today at 6 p.m.

"The goal of the whole contest is to actually start a business," said Christopher Hanks, director of the entrepreneurship program. "The focus is to help UGA students."

The application process began Sept. 22, but Hanks said the orientation tonight is open to all students, regardless of major. The only requirement is commitment and a willingness to work hard, he said.

"We're going to commit a lot of resources and money for these students," Hanks said. "But they are going to have to come to the table with a commitment because they are going to have to work hard."

Students with ideas for an entrepreneurial endeavor are encouraged to come to the orientation, but Hanks said even those who do not have a particular idea and are interested in business ownership should come out.

There will be roughly 20 venture capitalists at the seminars who will serve as resources to students.

"There's a lot of seasoned people who really want to help," Hanks said. "If [students] have a problem, we can provide assistance."

Prize money will be contributed by Rob Bearden, a venture capitalist at Benchmark Capital in Silicon Valley and the University's first entrepreneur in residence.

The prize amount is still unknown, but Hanks said the real prize is a successful business proposal in which money is invested and the business is launched.

Students who complete the seminar series will receive a certificate in business planning and will be able to network and pitch ideas to seasoned entrepreneurs, angel investors and venture capitalists. Winning entries also receive investment capital, business incubation, and business plan development.

"I really do believe that if you're serious about entrepreneurship there's no better place to be than at UGA," said Hanks, who started his first business while studying as a student at the University.

"At no other time in [a student's] life are they going to have this many people interested in helping them and so many resources."

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