What is BIZCOM?

BIZCOM is an annual competition to find the Keele’s best student business ideas. It’s a competition which gives YOU a chance to earn some cash from a business plan!

Who can enter?

Any student registered with KeeleUniversity is eligible to enter the competition. This includes full or part time students, all undergraduates and all postgraduates.

Entries can be made by individuals or by teams of up to a maximum of five people.

How does it work?

There are two stages to the competition: 

Stage One:

• Keele entries are submitted to an expert panel of judges appointed by the University, which will, entirely at their discretion, award the prizes. The judges’ decision will be final.

• The closing date for entries is 4pm on Friday 7th March 2008.

• The judging panels will be held on Thursday & Friday 17th & 18th March 2008

• The winners will be announced on Wednesday 19th March 2008.

The overall Keele winner will receive help in preparing for Stage Two from the Business Development Team in the Research Services.

Stage Two:

• The Keele winner of Stage One will automatically be entered into the West Midlands’ Regional BIZCOM final.

• the winning entry from each of the participating universities will be submitted to a regional panel of judges to find the winning regional entrant.

• The overall regional winner and runner up will receive further cash prizes totalling £4,000.

What are the prizes?

The Keele University winner & two runners up will receive the following cash prizes:

1st prize: £750                       2nd prize: £500                     3rd prize: £250

The overall winner will also receive help and support from the Business Development Team in the Research Services to prepare for the regional competition.

The overall Keele winner will gain a package of support including:

• Access to a hot desk in the Stepping Stone incubation office in IC2
• The opportunity to convert their idea into a business reality
• Media coverage
• Access to further finance and meetings with venture capitalists
• Access to networks and valuable contacts

The Regional Bizcom winners will receive

1st Prize : to be confirmed                            Runner up : to be confirmed

How do I enter?

You need to submit a four page outline of your business idea, which should not be more than 1200 words. Before writing your proposal you should read 'How to Write an Outline for a Business Idea'. You can obtain the Entry Form or by email from d.a.frankish@keele.ac.uk

Can I get any help with my submission?

Of course you can! If you need any help or advice prior to submitting your entry, just call Dee Frankish on 01782 583441. There is a guidance sheet on ‘How to Write an Outline for a Business Idea’

Will my idea be safe?

All entries will be treated in the strictest confidence and all the judges will sign a Confidentiality Agreement, so your idea will be safeguarded.

What are the rules?

This is the link for the Bizcom rules

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Make your business idea work for you!

APPLY TODAY
To find out more, or to submit your entry, please contact
Dee Frankish on d.a.frankish@keele.ac.uk or phone 01782 583441

Research Services
Room 1.13, First Floor
Dorothy Hodgkin Building
Keele University
Keele
Staffordshire
ST5 5BG