Timeline and Directions for 2024-2025
9/19/24 Registration opens for Team Registration (Intent to Compete) – As few as one TCNJ student can register a team on the “Intent to Compete.” Teams must be comprised of no less than two and no more than four team members. The more teams competing require more first-round judges, the Team Registration helps us approximate the number of judges needed. If you “think” you might want to compete, then register. All team members must be currently enrolled TCNJ undergraduate students. Available resources include assistance finding a mentor, sample financial forms, samples of business plans, and multiple optional sessions to prepare teams to write & present their business plans. Visit our Resources page for details.
At the time of registration, all team members must sign the affirmation of policy statement and attach it to the registration form. This affirms that all team members have reviewed the Confidentiality Statement, Prize Money Award Disbursement Statement, and Timeline.
If you are looking for a team but do not know anyone to ask, have a concept but do not know where to find teammates, or want a business student to join your team? Sign up here. We will connect students who sign up via email. Students will be responsible to continue making connections.
10/16/24 Q&A Panel –Trying to decide if you want to participate in the Mayo Business Plan Competition? Are you planning on participating but have questions? Join us and get your questions answered! Join Tammy Dieterich, Interim Dean of the School of Business, Brendan Scher ’10, Senior Associate at Edison Partners & MBPC Finals Judge, and Nitya Devisetti, Senior Biology major & 2023 MBPC participant for this one-hour informal Q&A session. October 16, 2024, at 4:00 pm. Register here and we will send you the Zoom link.
11/13/24 “Business Plan Workshop Part 1: Business Plan Basics” –Join us for this one-hour hybrid workshop on Business Plan Basics! David Puskar, Interim Assistant Dean of the School of Business & Entrepreneur, will present in person an overview of business plans including the operating plan, sales, etc. Kristian Olsen, Associate Consultant at ZS, will present via Zoom from London, England. He will focus on marketing strategies and launching a business. This workshop is open to all interested students. It will be moderated by Tammy Dieterich, Interim Dean of the School of Business. Those participating in the Mayo Business Plan Competition are strongly urged to attend, but the workshop is open to all interested students. November 14, 2024, at 4:00 pm in the Business Building Lounge. Registration is required.
11/18/24 “Business Plan Workshop Part 2: Having Strong Financials” – Join Kathryn Jervis, retired Professor of Accounting & Dean of the School of Business, for this one-hour workshop on building strong financials for your business plan! Kathryn will review financial statements, financial planning in business plans, and cash flow, balance sheets, and income statements. This workshop is open to all interested students. Those participating in the Mayo Business Plan Competition are strongly urged to attend. November 18, 2024, at 4:00 pm in Business Building, Room 123. Registration is required.
12/13/24 Team registration for “Intent to Compete” closes at 11:59 pm – Registration after this date requires an exceptional situation and the Dean’s approval (e.g., an illness or unusual study abroad situation).
As a reminder, each team must consist of no less than two and no more than four current TCNJ undergraduate students. There will be no team changes after this deadline. All team members must also complete and submit the Affirmation of Policy Statement.
1/10/25 ALL team members must complete two LinkedIn Learning modules and submit certificates of completion with their business plan and pitch video. In order to access these modules you must be logged into a computer with your TCNJ credentials.
1/10/25 Business plans submitted by 11:59 pm – Absolute due date; no exceptions. For the competition, focus is on the aspects of the business and the development and presentation of the business plan, not on the product. Business plans evaluated by two to three judges using the Evaluation Rubric Teams will be provided with a link to submit their plans, LinkedIn certificates, and pitch video. Below are the requirements what should be submitted.
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- Plan – Maximum plan length: 20 pages, double- spaced 11 or 12 font.
- Additional charts and tables (maximum five pages).
- Plan must be submitted as a PDF (not a Word or Excel file).
- A short pitch video (1 to 3 minutes) describing the concept and likely target market(s) is required.
- Plan must include:
- Executive Summary (usually written last)
- Business Overview
- Operating Plan
- Market Analysis
- Products and/or Services
- Competitive Analysis
- Sales and Marketing
- Management Team
- Financial Plan
- Projections
- Conclusions
2/10/25 Six teams invited to revise business plan and advance to semi-finals – Semi-finalist teams must have a mentor. The mentor could be one of your choosing or the School of Business could provide suggestions for a mentor. Your mentor’s name must be submitted to the School of Business. We are currently working on compiling a list of mentors to be posted on our Resources page.
2/12/25 Presentation Skills Workshop – Made it to the semi-finals? Need to help with your presentation skills? Come enhance your public speaking & presentation skills with Sean O’Grady! Sean is an adjunct professor at TCNJ who teaches speaking & leadership development. He also works full-time in advertising, where he trains executives, professional athletes and celebrities for television, radio and public appearances. This workshop is open to all interested TCNJ students. If you are participating in the Mayo Business Plan Competition, this session could help prepare you for the semi-finals/finals!!! The workshop will take place at 4:00 pm in the Business Building Lounge. Registration is required.
2/24/25 Semi-finalist teams submit revised business plans by 12:00 pm (noon) for judges.
2/26/25 Semi-Finals – Semi-finalist teams give a live 20-minute, uninterrupted presentation before judges, followed by a 10-minute Q&A.
3/3/25 Three of six semi-finalist teams invited to revise plans and advance to finals.
3/24/25 Finalist teams submit revisions for the judges by 12 pm noon – Teams will produce a bridge document, along with a revised business plan, that specifically addresses the judges’ feedback, contains updated or new exhibits on design, financials, addressable market, and so on.
3/26/25 Finals – Final presentations before judges, maximum 30 minutes. Judges may interrupt at any time with questions, however, teams must also allow time for questions at the end of their presentation.
*Dates subject to change*
Resources
There are many resources available to assist teams. Check out our Resources page to see what is available to you.