Posted on December 3, 2014 by Lety Laurel
Seven UTSA teams comprised of undergraduate business, computer science and engineering students will compete for cash and prizes at the $100K Student Technology Venture Competition, hosted by the UTSA Center for Innovation and Technology Entrepreneurship (CITE). The competition is 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6 in the Business Building Liu Auditorium (2.01.02) on the UTSA Main Campus.
Computer motherboard
Established in 2007 and held semi-annually, the UTSA technology venture competition offers the largest award of all undergraduate business-planning competitions in the nation. Focusing on student entrepreneurial activities, CITE hosts the competition to give students hands-on experience as early-stage entrepreneurs.
Since the competition’s inception, 650 students have participated, more than 85 company ideas have been pitched and a dozen patent applications have been filed. Two winning teams from previous competitions, Leto Solutions and Invictus Medical, have demonstrated steady progress toward commercializing their products.
To prepare for the competition, teams of business, computer science and engineering seniors work throughout the semester to develop a technology-based company. The students collaborate to create a prototype and a fully developed business plan. This semester’s competitors will offer new technologies poised to enhance health care, Internet marketing and business.
As in past competitions, each of this semester’s competing teams received guidance during the semester from an experienced professional from the SA Tech Boosters in the San Antonio technology community.
Local academic, business and entrepreneurial experts will judge the teams on their technologies, business plans and presentations. The competition culminates with each team making a seven-minute pitch to potential investors.
The top three teams will each receive a cash prize and in-kind business services such as marketing, consulting and office space should they decide to launch their new companies.
Financed by the Texas Research and Technology Foundation, the competition also receives support from Cox|Smith, the San Antonio Technology Center, Rackspace, the Whittington Group, the UTSA College of Business, the UTSA College of Engineering and the UTSA Office of the Vice President for Research.
The UTSA Center for Innovation and Technology Entrepreneurship is an interdisciplinary center in the College of Business and College of Engineering. It was established in 2006 to create a pipeline for UTSA faculty and students and the business community to develop new technology ventures.
Through a process of education, experience, resources and support, CITE fosters the growth of new technology-based ventures. The center coordinates resources supporting early-venture execution within the university or in collaboration with companies and provides linkages to IP protection, incubation and funding that support the launch of new technology ventures.
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Event schedule
9-11:30 a.m.: Project viewing and judging, interaction with teams
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Lunch
12:30-2 p.m.: Competition
2-2:30 p.m.: Award presentations
— Lety Laurel
