The Venture Finals is the culminating event of the Wharton Business Plan Competition. It is a signature opportunity for the Wharton Business Plan Competition's Great Eight finalist teams to present their business plans to distinguished judges who will award the prizes. In addition to prizes, the Venture Finals is a great event for the entrepreneurial community, bringing students together with angel investors, venture capitalists, Wharton alumni, entrepreneurs, and others from the entrepreneurial business community.
The Venture Finals also feature an Entrepreneurial Showcase. Tabletop displays highlight the activities of past Wharton Business Plan Competition Grand Prize Winners, as well as past and present participants in the Wharton Venture Initiation Program. The showcase provides attendees with the opportunity to learn about and trace the progress of some of the recent entrepreneurial success stories that have emerged from the classrooms, programs and competitions of the Wharton School.
Venture Finals Attendance
The Wharton School is pleased to invite all University of Pennsylvania friends, alumni, students, participants, families and business and community leaders to attend the Venture Finals. The details are available via the Venture Finals Schedule as they become available.
Attendees who have not RSVP'd electronically ahead of time can sign in at the registration table during the Venture Finals.
For driving directions and hotel accommodations, please visit our Visitor Information Page .
Judging Criteria
Judges' selection of prizewinners are based upon how well each team demonstrates that it can achieve its goals and that its concept is worth pursuing. In addition, teams must make presentations to the judges in a 20 minute time frame (10 minute presentation and 10 minutes for Q&A). For more information on judging criteria in the Venture Finals visit our Judges section. For a more precise idea of what judges consider, review the Venture Finals judge's sheet.
"Great Eight" Finalists: Preparing for the Venture Finals
The Great Eight finalists will each deliver 6 copies of their full business plan no later than Thursday, April 12, 2006 at NOON to:
Wharton Entrepreneurial Programs
The University of Pennsylvania
408 Vance Hall
3733 Spruce St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Each team will be required to attend a Presentation Skills Workshop prior to the Venture Finals. Date and Time to be announced.
Each team must attend the dress rehearsal and deliver their final PowerPoint presentation to the WBPC Committee.
