CEO Program and Student Business Plan Competition
Have you ever thought about turning an idea into a business? The South Dakota Mines Competitive Entrepreneurial Opportunity (CEO) Program is a comprehensive, semester-long program that immerses students in learning to draft a business plan and culminates
in a pitch competition for cash prizes. The CEO Program is the perfect starting point for students who are interested in entrepreneurship.
This unique program features workshops on opportunity identification, introduces students to business concepts and project financials, and works through the development of a standard business plan. Students from the CEO Program have gone on to
win several state and national business plan competitions in addition to securing other forms of funding and recognition including the SD Governor’s Giant Vision Business Plan Competition.
- All South Dakota Mines, Black Hills State, Western Dakota Tech, National American University, and Chadron State students are eligible. West River high school students are also eligible.
- One Team member must be a full time student at South Dakota Mines or other participating institution.
- Each team must submit a business plan.
- Must attend Business Financials and Business Plan Training.
- See Calendar Below
Please send an email to
economic.development@sdsmt.edu and include the following information:
- Name, School’s Name, Email address, Major (undergraduate or graduate), of each team member
- Idea or Business Name
- A very brief description of your idea or business
- Business Plan Training
- Financial Training by Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
- Mentoring by Entrepreneurs-In-Residence
- All teams must provide a written business plan with financial statements
- Semi-Finalist to present their business plan to panel of judges (7 minute presentation, 3 minute q/a)
- 30% Quality of Business Plan
- 40% Impact of Presentation
- 30% Overall Assessment of Business Potential
1st Place - $4,000
2nd Place - $3,000
3rd Place - $2,000
1st Place High School - $500
Best Agricultural Plan - $1,000
2023 Competition Calendar
|
Date |
Information Sessions
|
September 11 @ 5 pm
September 14 @ 5 pm
Surbeck Center - Hardrock Room
|
Registration:
Email Intent to Compete to:
economic.development@sdsmt.edu |
By Friday, September 22
|
Business Plan Training
|
September 28 @ 5 pm
October 4 @ 5 pm
Classroom Building, Room 205
|
Mentor Support: Each team will receive a mentor(s) by
|
Week of October 9
|
| Training to Develop Business Financials: Facilitated by Small Business Development Center (SBDC) |
Week of October 23 |
| Submit Business Plan to
economic.development@sdsmt.edu |
Due November 26
|
| Notification of Finalists |
Week of November 27
|
| Finalist Pitches and Awards |
December 2
King Center, Hall of Fame Conference Room
|
Questions?
Contact the Office of Economic Development:
Phone: 605-394-5168
Email:
economic.development@sdsmt.edu
Thank you Sponsors!
* Governor’s Office of Economic Development funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the US Small Business Administration.