Food and refreshments are served at all Workshops, and yes, these come with VISION credits. Rooms TBA.

Thursday, January 22: 4:30-5:45pm
Ain Workshop 1: Market Need, Opportunity, Idea Formation
Instructor: Dennis Kessler, Edward and Agnes Ackley Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Simon School of Business, co-owner of Friendly's and Burger Kings across upstate NY

Thursday, February 19: 4:30-5:45pm
Ain Workshop 2: Competitive Analysis, Customer Identification, the 4 P's
Instructor: Lauren Dixon, CEO of Dixon-Schwabl Advertising

Thursday, April 2: 4:30-5:45pm
Ain Workshop 3: Financials, Cash Flow, Balance Sheets
Instructor: Gina Mangiamele, Assistant Director of Education and Counseling, Simon Graduate School of Business

Monday, April 27: 5:00pm
Submissions Due for Mark Ain Business Model Competition
Center for Entrepreneurship, 1-211 Carol Simon Hall

Wednesday, May 13: 4:00-6:00pm
Final Presentations for Mark Ain Business Model Competition ($10,000 First Place)

Curious to see the caliber of presentations you'll be up against? Click here to view the full video of last years' presentations. (Scroll down)

Need an idea? Try contacting Jack Fraser (jfraser@ott.rochester.edu) at the Office of Technology Transfer. The OTT has several interesting and viable patents that can be used as the basis of a business idea.

Keep checking back because soon we'll post the scoring rubrics that will be used. Also, this year every contestant/team will receive feedback on their business plan.

Other notes:
You do not need a team but it is recommended.
There is no entrance fee for Simon Students.
Last year there were 16 teams with the top 3 taking home sizeable cash prizes.
Other rules and guidelines will be released as we get closer. Stay tuned . . .