Events and Programs

Students are given a wealth of opportunities to put their classroom knowledge into practice through the programs provided by the Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship (CNVE). Every program CNVE develops touches students lives in one or more ways.

Ideas Challenge

The mission of CNVE emphasizes fostering an entrepreneurial mindset at Texas A&M University. The Ideas Challenge does just that. It helps students to think in an entrepreneurial way and develop the competencies needed to identify and successfully implement new business ideas throughout their careers. This year's Ideas Challenge will be May 2, 2012. Student entries are due by 5 p.m. on March 30, 2012. Finalist notification will take place at the end of April.

The Ideas Challenge is open to all students at Texas A&M. The top five business ideas will be awarded cash prizes.

Submitting a winning business idea requires creative, careful and methodical planning—and very careful writing—yet it is much less involved than a fully developed business plan. For most students, it's challenging and fun!

Students can participate individually or in groups. It is suggested that students attend one of the four workshops leading up to the idea’s submissions deadline that will introduce students to the competition and provide tips on finding and developing a business idea. Once chosen as a finalist, students will attend one final workshop explaining how to present their ideas to the judges.

2012 Dates and information:

Workshops:

• March 21 or 22 from 6:30-9:30 pm in Wehner 115
• Finalist Workshop: April 25th from 6:30-9:30 pm in Wehner 115

Last day for idea submission

• March 30 by 5:00 p.m.

Finalist notified

• April 20

Judging Day and Awards Reception

• May 2
• Add this event to your outlook calendar by clicking HERE

2012 Ideas Challenge Documents:

• 2012 Ideas Challenge Overview and Guidelines
• 2012 Ideas Challenge Entry Form
• 2012 Ideas Challenge Terms and Conditions
• Finalist Workshop Presentation
• Finalist Workshop – TEEX PDC Presentation
• Judging Form

2011 Ideas Challenge Winners

• First Place: Patrick Daniels and Martin Griggs, University Folding Bikes
• Second Place: Blake Carlton and Evan Lange, Scream Cards
• Third Place: Jason Childs, Austin City Hostels
• Third Place: Mithil Chokshi, Ashley Labonte, Jeehyun Park, and Michael Whiltely, Advanced Cell Culture System
• Third Place: James Bonn, Hilary Brugger, Megan Hafner, Edward Hartmann, Johnny Shih, and Luke Smith, The Stint

MBA Venture Challenge

The Venture Challenge (formerly known as the Tech Transfer Challenge) is an integral part of the Mays Full-Time MBA Program that asks teams of MBA students to assess the commercial viability an existing firm, which is based upon research at A&M. The challenge culminates with presentations before judges from the business, investment and academic communities. Students are challenged to quickly learn a new topic, organize their work, work as a team and apply their classroom lessons in a real world setting.

The challenge is a great enhancement to the MBA educational program and provides an avenue to showcase our students and their diverse portfolio to the business and investment community. Past competitions have resulted in job offers for many of our students.

2012 MBA Venture Challenge Documents

• MBA Venture Challenge Overview
• 2012 MBA Venture Challenge Student Agenda
• 2012 Deliverable Requirements
• 2012 Elevator Pitch
• 2012 Judges Feedback form

MBA Venture Challenge Kick-Off Powerpoint Presentations 2.9.2012

• Presentation 1
• Presentation 2
• Presentation 3

2011 winners

• First Place: John Brown, Luke Carlton, Cody Slape, Kelly Taylor, Alfredo Volio; CorInnova
• Second Place: Brandon Boatcallie, Erik Brown, Derek Colvin, Nishita Roy, Jasen Smith; Shape Memory Therapeutics
• Third Place: Jeff Cope, Larry Jackson, Dawn Lin, Justin Martin, Nityasha Wadalkar; Preclinical PET

Learn more about the MBA Venture Challenge.

Entrepreneurship Empowerment in South Africa

Looking for the entrepreneurial adventure of a lifetime? Want to make a difference? The Entrepreneurship Empowerment in South Africa (EESA) program may be for you!

CNVE is partnering with Oklahoma State University and University of Colorado-Boulder to offer an innovative program for entrepreneurially minded students. Students must register with the Study Abroad Programs Office.

This special program is open to students who will have achieved junior or above level status by the start of the summer experience and graduate students regardless of major. It is not limited to business majors, and so those studying sociology, engineering, education, architecture, economics, political science, government, social work, and other fields are welcome. The key requirements are a strong work ethic, emotional maturity, creative problem-solving ability and a desire to make a difference.

The program is a life-changing experience, where students help and learn from historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in the Black townships near Cape Town, South Africa. Students form consulting teams working with small businesses over six weeks to help make the ventures sustainable. They work closely with entrepreneurs based in the townships. These special individuals have managed to overcome a history of apartheid, limited education, and severely constrained resources to create small enterprises. Their ventures range from catering and the arts & crafts business to community newspapers and small manufacturing operations. While gaining practical experiences, EESA students perform an important service in the townships. The University of the Western Cape will host the program.

Learn more about EESA or view detailed instructions on how to apply.