University of Maryland's Smith School's China Business Plan Competition

The Maryland-China Business Council is pleased to be a Marketing Partner for
2005 China Business Plan Competition
http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/bplan2005

About the Competition
The Robert H. Smith School of Business and Zero2IPO (www.zero2ipo.com.cn) are co-organizing a China Business Plan Competition, which promises to be the largest program of its kind in China and a unique opportunity for sponsors to reach a global audience. The program will bring together entrepreneurs and other business executives from around the world to compete for a total of $45,000 in prize money. Teams of up to four individuals will submit business plans with the hope of making it to the final round competition to be held in September 2005.

Competition Overview/Instructions
1) Teams may be 2, 3, or 4 individuals
2) Register for the competition by completing the online application between 6/1/2005 and 7/1/2005
3) Submit an executive summary by 7/1/05
4) Second Round notifications will be delivered on 7/14/2005 at the Zero2IPO semi-annual Venture Capital Conference
5) Submit a 15- to 25-page business plan by 8/1/2005
6) Final Round Presentations in China (10 teams) on 9/23/2005

Competition Details
1. Form a team of 2, 3, or 4.
This is a competition for large dollars and seed financing. Teams should represent individuals that are committed to the venture and focused on executing the business plan, regardless of whether they are victorious in the competition. Teams should have experience and well-rounded management skills.

2. Identify a business opportunity.
The competition is intended to focus on business opportunities in China. Therefore, the business plan must meet the following requirements:
1) employees must be based in China;
2) products or services must be sold to the Chinese marketplace;
3) businesses must demonstrate use of proceeds;
4) business cannot have generated more than $50,000 during the past 12 months; and,
5) business cannot have received more than $50,000 in previous funding.

3. Complete an online registration for the business plan competition. This will consist of a two page executive summary. Additional information required:
1) Business name
2) Management team members
3) Contact information
4) Executive summary

Prizes

A total of $45,000 will be awarded.

First Prize: $25,000
Second Prize: $15,000
Third Prize: $ 5,000

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research for the digital economy. One of 13 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time MBA, part-time MBA, Executive MBA, Ph.D., and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. In addition to the Smith School's programs in Maryland, and its custom MBA (Tianjin) and open enrollment EMBA programs (Beijing and Shanghai) in China, the school offers degree and certification programs in Europe and has academic collaborations in Korea, Japan, Thailand, Israel, the Netherlands, and France. More information about the Robert H. Smith School of Business can be found at www.rhsmith.umd.edu.

About Zero2IPO
Founded in 1999, Zero2IPO is the most recognized brand in the financial information and advisory services for Private Equity and High-Growth Enterprises in China. We currently have about 40 professionals providing Financial Information Services (FIS), Financial Advisory Services (FAS) and Investor Relationship Services (IRS). The annual Zero2IPO-China Venture Capital Forum (CVCF) and China Venture Capital Report have become the most authoritative and influential industry benchmark in China. Since 2001, Zero2IPO has organized eight national, annual and semi-annual private equity (venture capital) forums, four annual surveys and rankings, and 40 monthly technology and industry forums. Zero2IPO has completed more than a dozen successful private placements including two pre-IPO deals. Zero2IPO Venture Capital Club (Z-Club) includes about 100 investor members and 120 enterprise members; it has become the most extensive network for deal flow and capital information source. Zero2IPO is now the leading information and advisory service provider for the private equity, venture capital, and high-growth enterprises in China. More information about Zero2IPO can be found at www.zero2ipo.com.cn.

Click here to download the invitation (PDF).