Timeline and Directions for 2023-2024
9/20/23 Mayo Business Plan Competition Kick-Off/Information Session – At least one team member is strongly advised to attend the MBPC kick-off & information session. This session will include reviewing the timeline for the competition, requirements, mentors, and resources available to you. The session will take place at 12:00 pm in the Business Building, Room 224. Light refreshments will be served. Students are required to register. Registration may be completed here. Even if you are just thinking about being a part of this competition, attend this session! Please email Stephanie Horner at horners@tcnj.edu with any questions.
9/20/23 Registration opens for “Intent to Compete.” As few as one TCNJ student can register a team on the “Intent to Compete.” More teams competing require more first-round judges, the “Intent to Compete” 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 students. We do suggest teams include a business student as part of their team or ensure that the team utilizes all resources available to assist in creating their business plan. Resources include a mentor, a business faculty member, a public speaking coach, or anything to assist the team with the plan and presentation.
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 were to find teammates, want a business student to join your team? Sign up here. We will try to connect you with other students who are looking for teammates.
10/18/23 “Speed Networking” – Have an idea, but do not have a team? Want to be part of the MBPC but not sure how? Join us for the MBPC speed networking event where we can help put individuals and teams together. The event will be held at 12:00 pm in the Business Building Lounge. A light lunch will be served. Registration is required. Please register here. All registrations must be submitted by October 1, 2023. Any questions email Stephanie Horner at horners@tcnj.edu.
10/25/23 October Business Leaders Talk: Public Speaking & Presentation Skills with Sean O’Grady Registration for this event is required. This optional session is being offered to assist MBPC participants with their skills in public speaking and presentation. Register here by October 10, 2023. This event is open to all School of Business students and MBPC team members.
12/10/23 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.
1/14/24 ALL team members must complete two LinkedIn Learning modules and submit certificates of completion with their business plan and video. In order to access these modules you must be logged into a computer with your TCNJ credentials.
1/14/24 Business plans submitted (via the website) 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.
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- 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
2/12/24 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.
2/23/24 Semi-finalist teams submit revised business plans by 12:00 pm (noon) for judges.
2/28/24 Semi-Finals – Semi-finalist teams give a live 20-minute, uninterrupted presentation before judges, followed by a 10-minute Q&A.
3/4/24 Three of six semi-finalist teams invited to revise plans and advance to finals.
3/22/24 Finalist teams submit revisions for the judges by 12 pm noon. Teams will produce a bridge document that specifically addresses the judges’ feedback that contains updated or new exhibits on design, financials, addressable market, and so on.
3/27/24 Finals – Final presentations before judges, maximum 30 minutes, questions from judges allowed throughout the time period.
*Dates subject to change*
Resources
- Learning Module for students with limited business knowledge. Financial Accounting Foundations.
- Register for the 10/25/23 Business Leader’s Talk: Public Speaking & Presentation Skills here.
- TCNJ School of Business Faculty Directory.