Third Security Sponsors U.Va. Entrepreneurship Cup
November 12, 2009November 12, 2009 — Students from a variety of disciplines representing six schools at the University of Virginia will compete on Nov. 20 for the first-ever U.Va. Entrepreneurship Cup – and a $20,000 first prize. Their concepts range from consumer products and services to new technology.
The event will be held 1 to 4 p.m. at the McIntire School of Commerce, Rouss and Robertson Hall, room 120. The competition is open to the public, and media coverage is invited.
"This U.Va. Cup competition will make the entrepreneurial talent at U.Va. visible and enhance our mission of disseminating knowledge to the world," Thomas C. Skalak, vice president for research, said.
Philippe Sommer, director of entrepreneurship programs at U.Va.'s Darden School of Business, said it's important to involve disciplines from across the University.
"Entrepreneurship is a mindset anyone can adopt, no matter what their field of study," he said. "It's about changing the world, which makes it the province of artists, educators, engineers and business people."
The competition is sponsored by the U.Va. Office of the Vice President for Research and the Darden School, with the generous support of Third Security LLC, a venture capital firm specializing in biotechnology and life sciences. Randal J. Kirk, chairman and CEO of Third Security, is a member of the U.Va. Board of Visitors.
"We are extremely pleased to have such a visible and world-class partner in Third Security," Skalak said.
The competition is also a participating event of Global Entrepreneurship Week, which runs Nov. 16-22.
Undergraduate and graduate students will make 10-minute pitches, followed by 10 minutes of questions from a panel of judges, all experienced entrepreneurs. This event will be marked by the energy, imagination and passion of the presenters.
The winning project will receive a $20,000 cash prize, with $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third. A special U.Va. cup designed for the occasion will be awarded.
Students will represent the following schools:
• Curry School of Education
• Darden School of Business
• School of Law
• McIntire School of Commerce
• School of Medicine
• School of Engineering and Applied Science
Students will be available for interviews, as will Sommer and Skalak.
For information, contact Marian Anderfuren, Office of Public Affairs, at 434-243-2293 or manderfuren@virginia.edu.
Third Security Media Contact
David Snepp
Director, Communications
cell: 540-230-7471
email: david.snepp@thirdsecurity.com