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BUSINESS PLAN CHALLENGE TO AWARD $25,000 TO TOP STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS

Hamilton, ON - March 24, 2002 

Campusincubator.com has announced the start of the McMaster CampusIncubator Business Plan Challenge. In this inaugural year, it is expected that $25,000 cash will be awarded to the most outstanding team of student entrepreneurs who submit business plans for new ventures that show significant business potential.

The Business Plan Challenge is based on the model of the MIT $50K Entrepreneurship Competition, now in its eleventh year. What makes the McMaster competition different, however, is that the CampusIncubator web site is a Virtual Business Network, which allows contestants and teams to communicate their ideas within a closed, interconnected network, share files and manage their projects online. The Ask the Expert feature gives participants the ability to ask specific questions to registered experts for feedback and expert knowledge.

Another unique feature is that a series of free workshops will be offered to help participants understand what is involved in starting up a new company and covers the basics of writing effective business plans. Guest speakers and expert panelists will also be invited to share their unique experiences and answer questions, and successful and seasoned professionals will provide mentorship.

All full-time and part-time students from all faculties at McMaster (Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, Business and Science) at both the undergraduate and graduate levels are encouraged to enter the competition. It is anticipated that multi-disciplinary teams will combine members from technical disciplines with members from the Michael G. DeGroote School of Business. 

The competition kick-off will be held March 26, at 5:30 pm at the University Club at McMaster University, and will feature Ron Foxcroft, Entrepreneur and inventor of the Fox40 Whistle, as special guest speaker. Business plan submissions are due January 30, 2003 and the winning team will be announced at an awards ceremony on March 15 of next year.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Victoria Miecznikowski, Communications Coordinator
External Relations Dept., Michael G. DeGroote School of Business
Phone: 905-525-9140 ext. 27436 / E-mail: mieczni@mcmaster.ca

Ron Foxcroft

RON FOXCROFT - BIO Born in Hamilton, Ontario. Resides in Burlington, Ontario. Married to Marie and father of three sons, Steve, Dave and Ron Jr. BUSINESS AND RELATED President – Fluke Transport and Warehousing. “If it’s on time…it’s a Fluke”, is more than a slogan – it’s a guarantee. Inventor of the Fox 40 Pealess Whistle which is now sold in 120 countries and is sanctioned by almost all major sports worldwide, including the NFL, CFL, NHL, NCAA and the NBA. Fox 40 was awarded the 1989 Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Business Achievement Awards. Named by Profit Magazine as one of the 10 top Canadian entrepreneurs of the decade. President – Hamilton & District Chamber of Commerce in 1995. SPORTS 1999 – Inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame. (5 year waiting period waived) 2000 – Inducted into the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO) Lifetime Hall of Fame. Officiated over 1,600 International basketball games in over 30 countries, including the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Gold Medal basketball game. NCAA’s only Canadian Basketball Referee. 35 year career (1963-1999) International and NCAA Division 1 referee. LOCAL & NATIONAL INVOLVEMENT Received an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from McMaster University on May 30, 2001. Appointed by the Minister of National Defence for Canada as Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the 705 (Hamilton) Communication Squadron. Named Hamilton, Ontario’s 1997 “Distinguished Citizen of the Year”. Named B’Nai Brith Canada 1995 Award of Merit Winner. 2001 Hamilton Health Sciences Recipient, “Cornerstone Award”.