When you see those announcements about millions of dollars in venture capital being awarded to one start-up or another, have you ever thought to yourself, "Hey, what about me? What about my idea?" After all, professionals like you are the ones who know what products and services are needed to solve real world problems.
Well, now is your chance. Introducing Network World's "Who Wants to be an Entrepreneur?" contest, which will recognize the best idea for a new product, service or company. The contest, developed by Network World in conjunction with Commonwealth Capital, a venture capital firm in Wellesley, Mass., is sponsored by public relations firm fama PR of Cambridge, Mass., service provider Qwest Communications of Denver and the law firm of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault LLP of Boston.
We'll give the winner a jump-start with venture capital exposure, $30,000 in cash and paid in-kind professional services, coverage in Network World, and a chance to rub elbows with other entrepreneurs at Network World's annual Demo conference and exhibition in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Here's how it will work:
• Get a copy of our entry form, which must be filled out and returned by midnight May 17.
• A panel of judges will whittle down the entries to three to five finalists, basing their decisions on the submissions' originality, value and relevance to the network industry. Judges include Network World editors as well as representatives from Commonwealth Capital, Gold Wire Technology, North Bridge Venture Partners, Sigma Partners and Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault.
• Arrangements will be made for finalists to make a more detailed pitch to the judging panel.
• The winner will be told by June 21 and announced in the June 28 issue of Network World.
So, do you want to be an entrepreneur? Here's your chance to take a shot.
OFFICIAL RULES FOR NETWORK WORLD BUSINESS PLAN CONTEST
Eligibility To Participate
To participate in the Network World Business Plan Contest (the "Contest") you must be a legal resident of the United States
and at least eighteen (18) years old as of April 19, 2004. You may participate individually or as a member of a team. If
entering as a team, all members must satisfy the Contest's eligibility requirements. Employees, principals, and directors
of the Sponsors (defined below) and of any non-sponsoring entities whose representatives act as judges, their parent and subsidiary
companies, distributors, advertising and promotion agencies and suppliers, and their immediate families and those living in
their households are ineligible. By participating in the Contest, you represent that (1) the business concept described in
your entry submission (described below) contains your own ideas, and does not contain the proprietary ideas or confidential
information of others, or proprietary ideas or information as to which others may assert ownership rights and (2) that your
use and entry of the ideas and information contained in your submission for purposes of the Contest does not violate the rights
of others. You may be asked to certify to the preceding representations in writing.
The Contest begins at 12:00 A.M., Eastern Time, on April 19, 2004 (the "Contest Period") and ends at 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time,
on May 17, 2004. There are three ways for you to enter the Contest: (1) log on to Network World's website at www.nwfusion.com and follow the directions to enter; (2) if you receive the email newsletter Netflash or This Week On Fusion announcing the
Contest, click on the contest link and follow the directions to enter; or (3) submit an email entry to entrepreneur@nww.com containing all of the information outlined below. All submissions must be completed during the Contest Period and when making
your submission, you must log on to the Internet from the United States. You may enter the Contest more than once (i.e.,
you may submit multiple entries describing different business concepts).
Incomplete submissions are not eligible to win the prize. This Contest is void where prohibited by law and NO PURCHASE IS
NECESSARY to win the prize.
