On Sept. 16, two dozen business students gathered in Wilden Atrium for the first ZuVenturez’ Business Plan Competition meeting. The informational meeting reviewed the rules and requirements for the competition.
The winner with the best “startup” plan will receive $15,000 toward the new business upon completion of a six-month budget. Competitors must be current Azusa Pacific students.
“Contestants are judged by three or more sharks, who have many years of entrepreneurial experience,” said Dr. Annie Tsai, vice president of the Office of Alumni, Vocation and Innovation.
Tsai and her co-leader, School of Business board member Janice Orlando, started ZuVenturez in March 2014 as a business plan competition for APU students. Their mission was to encourage entrepreneurial excellence from students while maintaining a Kingdom focus.
Tsai and Orlando, both speakers during the evening event, teamed up with the Office of the President, which is also sponsoring the event, to create ZuVenturez. They wanted students to feel confident in post-graduation by empowering them to tap their abilities.
“We want to help students with building a business that aligns with their life purpose,” Orlando said.
Post-meeting, more than a dozen student hung out to chat with faculty and alumni. Photo credit: Savanna Cowles
ZuVenturez is not only about winning. Student-led business teams are mentored by longtime entrepreneurs who help guide them through the process of competition.
Alumni get involved by sharing their expertise and knowledge of entrepreneurship at the weekly workshops. A handful of alumni were in attendance at Tuesday night’s informational meeting.
“Alumni are important to us because it allows the young entrepreneurs to picture themselves 15-20 years in the future,” Orlando said.
Bill Hetzel a 1996 APU graduate, president and founder of MB4 Productions, a company that specializes in new media and technology; spoke Tuesday night and discussed the relational side of being an entrepreneur, closing with the lesson that “every customer you have is your boss.”
ZuVenturez has been successful because already-established businesses are not allowed to compete. One of the competition’s rules states that revenues of the “startup” must not have exceeded $75,000 from Oct. 30, 2013-Oct. 30, 2014.
“We are not looking to give away cash to a 10-year company,” said Matt Chormann, executive assistant of the Office of Alumni, Vocation and Innovation and 2014 APU graduate.
APU graduate student Robert Cardiff, last year’s winner and CEO of Whip Rides, was the guest of the night. Cardiff gave his testimony about the process he and his team went through during the competition, stressing the work wasn’t easy.
Cardiff’s business launched two weeks ago. Currently in a trial period, Whip Rides a transportation networking application providing rides to the airport, is offering rides to students, faculty and elderly in the Azusa area.
Previous winner, Robert Cardiff shared his ZuVenturez story Tuesday night. Photo credit: Savanna Cowles
“All three winners from last year had experience related to their business plan,” Orlando said. “That’s not required, but it helps in the competition.”
ZuVenturez will host weekly workshops with a different speaker each meeting. Thursday, Sept. 25, ZuVenturez’ first workshop will be in Wynn 2, with speaker, 2005 APU graduate Matt Holguin the CEO of Working to Give. He will be speaking on Kingdom focused business ventures.
The actual shark tank-style competition will begin Nov. 18, giving competitors eight weeks to prepare. Anyone is welcome to compete. For more information, visit ZuVenturez.com