Competition Format & Timeline
The BCIC-New Ventures Competition takes place over four successive, and increasingly complex, rounds. Competitors are eliminated after each round until only 10 remain in play to win $275,000 in prize packages.
Read the submission requirements for the complete list of questions you will have to answer for each round.
Round 1: The Idea
Participants register in the competition and describe their idea. Registration Deadline is April 17, 2012, 11:59pm.
Round 2 announced by April 20th.
Round 2 and 2.5: Feasibility Test
Participants submit a five-page response to specific questions about their business idea. Judges will choose the 15 best ideas to advance to Round 3. An additional 25 competitors will be paired with a mentor to prepare a presentation before the jury. Ten will be selected to move on to Round 3. Round 2 deadline is May 8, 2012.
Round 2.5 & top 15 in Round 3 announced by May 28.
Round 2.5 jury pitches: June 19th.
The final Round 3 announcement will be made June 20, 2012.
Round 3: Condensed Venture Plan
Participants are paired with a mentor who helps them expand their idea into a condensed business plan—an eight-page response to specific questions. Round 3 deadline is August 8, 2012.
Ten competitors will advance to Round 4, to be announced by September 4, 2012.
Round 4: Finale
Ten finalists will make oral presentations to the jury on September 13th or 14th, 2012. Judges will then select winners for all the prize packages.
All winners are unveiled at the 12th Annual BCIC-New Venture Competition Awards Ceremony on September 26th.