College of Business announces CBA Net-Biz Challenge 2002

Joyce J. Elam, dean of FIU's College of Business Administration (CBA), has announced its CBA Net-Biz Challenge 2002: An International Business Plan Competition.

The CBA Net-Biz Challenge, which begins officially on September 9, 2001, is open to all full- and part-time students (upper-division undergraduate and graduate) enrolled during the 2001-02 academic year in an accredited college or university in the state of Florida, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Spain. Each team, which may have from one to five members, must have a faculty sponsor/advisor and also may elect to enlist the help of a coach from the business community. The business plan must be for an original seed, start-up or early-stage venture that incorporates information technology, telecommunications or Internet-based (B2B, B2C) components in its operations. The plan must address the complete business concept, including its implementation.

The completed application form must be received in the Challenge office no later than October 5, 2001. All business plans and submission forms are due by January 11, 2002. Five semi-finalist teams will be selected to give oral presentations of their business plans to a panel of judges in spring of 2002. The grand prize-winning team and runner-up teams will be announced at an awards ceremony to follow.

"The CBA Net-Biz Challenge provides entrants with an extraordinary opportunity to hone their entrepreneurial abilities prior to entering the real business world," explained Curtis Collin Cole, last year's CBA Net-Biz Challenge winner, whose team won the $15,000 grand prize.

The CBA currently is looking for members of the business community to serve as coaches for Net-Biz Challenge teams. Volunteer coaches are asked to consult with team members for a minimum of two hours. Additional sponsors for cash prizes, event sponsorship or in-kind gifts also are welcomed.

For more information about the 2002 Net-Biz Challenge, to sign up as a sponsor or a coach, or to request a Challenge information and application kit, call 305-348-4227 or visit the College's website at www.fiu.edu/~netbiz.