Nevada’s college and university students showcased at the Governor’s Cup
I’d like to share with you one of my favorite programs, one that’s a true bright spot on Nevada’s economic horizon.
The 7th annual Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition is under way with student teams submitting a record 73 business plans. Nearly 100 judges are reviewing the plans and we’ll announce the finalists on April 6. The student teams will then make their oral presentations before panels of business and community leaders on April 19. The competition wraps up at the Awards Dinner on April 20 at the Atlantis.
Facilitated by NCET – Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, this program encourages Nevada’s best and brightest college students to challenge themselves to develop innovative new business concepts that have the potential to change the face of our state’s economy.
The Governor’s Cup is a year-round program that is open to all undergraduate and graduate students of every Nevada college and university. During the program, students first practice the techniques of formulating a business plan as an academic exercise. Judges and mentors, who represent the "real world" of business start-ups, then provide the students with relevant and timely feedback.
Since its inception, the Governor’s Cup has continued to grow and thrive. To date, nearly 1,000 students have entered over 265 business plans and received more than $550,000 in cash prizes which they’ve used to further their education or start their businesses. Students from nearly every college and university in the state have participated in the competition, with several going on to place in the Tri-State Reynolds Cup Competition. I’m proud to report that 15 participants have taken their concepts and launched successful business ventures right here in Nevada.
Each year we also present the "Lt. Governor’s Award" to the best energy-related business plan. The students’ work in this field is increasingly important as Nevada moves to become the Renewable Energy Capital of the World. Additionally, we’ll present the "NCET Faculty Award" to an outstanding faculty advisor who has demonstrated ongoing support of the student teams. The winners of Nevada’s Governor’s Cup will once again compete with the winners of the Arkansas and Oklahoma’s Governor’s Cups in the Tri-State Donald W. Reynolds Cup Competition held in Las Vegas in May.
I strongly urge you to support the 2011 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup. Participate, sponsor, donate or attend the oral presentations or awards dinner. Be part of the long-term strategy to encourage innovation in the Silver State, and learn more by visiting www.NCETgovcup.org.
