Santa Clara University Hosts Boomer Business Plan Competition in June: $10,000 Grand Prize and Opportunity to Pitch Silicon Valley Venture Capital Firms

SANTA CLARA, CA – Entrepreneurs whose products address the needs of the largest, most affluent cohort in history will want to participate in the third annual global Baby Boomer Business Plan Competition on June 20, 2006, at Santa Clara University. The competition, hosted by the University’s School of Business, includes a $10,000 Grand Prize in cash and the opportunity to pitch Silicon Valley venture capital firms.

“The opportunities for marketing to the boomer generation haven’t diminished with time,” says Mary Furlong, co-producer of the business plan competition. “Every seven seconds a boomer turns age 60,” she notes, “and entrepreneurs who provide services or products in technology, health, travel, fashion, media, financial services, even spirituality, aimed at this generation are on the leading edge.”

The business plan competition is open to all students, alumni, faculty or staff at accredited four-year colleges and universities, as well as entrepreneurs from seed or early-stage companies with annual revenues of $0 to $1 million, and independent business professionals developing products and services for the 45+ market.

Previous competitions have included participants from over 20 countries and such prominent universities as Harvard, Wharton (University of Pennsylvania), University of Chicago and UCLA. This year’s competition promises an even broader reach. “As the first business school in the heart of Silicon Valley, we have a global perspective,” says SCU School of Business dean Barry Z. Posner. “So does the boomer population, and entrepreneurs marketing to that generation have a worldwide marketplace.”

The competition involves three rounds of judging, narrowing the pool of business plans to 20 semifinalists, then five finalists. The five finalists, selected in advance, will be invited to present their plans to an esteemed panel of venture capital judges at the 2006 Silicon Valley Boomer Venture Capital Summit. Finalists will also have the opportunity to pitch their ideas one-on-one to Silicon Valley venture firms.

Intent to Enter deadline submission is April 21, 2006. For additional information or to submit your intention, please visit the Boomer Venture Summit website.

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