The Swinburne Venture Cup 2008
What is the Swinburne Venture Cup?
The Swinburne Venture Cup is a new venture planning competition for teams of Swinburne students at each section of the University: TAFE, Undergraduate and Postgraduate.
Why do we run it?
As an entrepreneurial university, Swinburne is committed to its students gaining experience in what it might be like to become an employer rather than an employee. The Swinburne Venture Cup aims to align the classroom experience with real-world, entrepreneurial experience.
It is not just about finding the best venture capital investment (although that would be nice), but it is to provide experience for our students, and to help them to identify practical entrepreneurial opportunities.
Who is eligible to enter?
Teams of 3-8 people, where at least 2/3 of the members are Swinburne students, enrolled for at least 1 semester in the current year.
What types of plans are appropriate?
There is no restriction on the type of new venture for entry in the competition – entries from social ventures right through to high technology start-ups have been category winners in the past. Ideally, plans should be based on students' formal coursework, so that it brings reality to classwork, and to minimise the extra work involved.
Prizes:
Chancellor's Prize Pool
$30,000 - $10,000 to each level of the University – TAFE, Undergraduate, & Postgraduate. Sponsored Prize
 In kind services to the value of $5000
 3 x $500 Printing Vouchers
 $500 Cash prize for "Best Technology for Commercialisation"
 $500 Power Pitch Prize
 Deferred Payments for Capital Raising Services
 Deferred Payment for Capital Raising Services
How do students enter?
Entry is free and simply requires registration using the entry formR egistrations are accepted through the year, right up to the deadline for submitting plans: 14th November 2008. However it is best to register by 26th September to take full advantage of feedback, mentoring sessions, and other SVC activities. The full guidelines are also on this website.
Download Registration forms
Download Prize Declaration form
Download Venture Feedback form
What are the seminars?
The following seminars are available on "Video-on-Demand":
Opportunity Evaluation : Sourcing ideas, and evaluating them
Marketing : practical approaches and tips on marketing
Business Planning : pulling the full plan together – what is important, and what is not.
There are also informal lunchtime workshops with mentoring opportunities. These workshops offer networking opportunities to facilitate the formation of well balanced teams with wide-ranging skill sets so that students have an optimum opportunity to develop ideas, concepts and business planning - preferably building on projects as part of formal coursework. (see Important Dates ).
Optional specialised seminars may be offered in second semester, depending on demand – keep an eye on the website for updates.
How are the plans judged?
Plans are submitted by 14th November; 4 finalist teams are selected in each section, and these teams present to a panel of judges on 30th November.
To give all teams the opportunity to present, there is the option of making a 5-minute ‘Power Pitch' prior to the plan submission, on 6th November.
Judges include potential investors (or their representatives) and winners are selected on the basis of the panel's view of the likely success of the business (and the team). All teams are offered feedback on their plans and where practical, mentoring support to take worthwhile opportunities forward.
Outcomes of the Swinburne Venture Cup include:
- Further development of entrepreneurial students;
- Development of linkages for students across disciplines;
- Buyilding upon class and project work towards practical, 'real world' outcomes;
- Start-up companies which may qualify for ongoing support.
Register your interest to:
- Keep up to date with SVC activities;
- Find a team;
- Find members for your team with specialist skills;
- Find a business idea;
- Get regular updates, tips, and to learn about networking opportunities.
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