CEO Program and Student Business Plan Competition
Have you ever thought about turning an idea into a business? The South Dakota Mines Competitive Entrepreneurial Opportunity (CEO) Program is a comprehensive, semester-long program that immerses students in learning to draft a business plan and culminates in a pitch competition for cash prizes. The CEO Program is the perfect starting point for students who are interested in entrepreneurship.
This unique program features workshops on opportunity identification, introduces students to business concepts and project financials, and works through the development of a standard business plan. Students from the CEO Program have gone on to win several state and national business plan competitions in addition to securing other forms of funding and recognition including the SD Governor's Giant Vision Business Plan Competition.
Resources
- All South Dakota Mines, Black Hills State, Western Dakota Tech, National American University, and Chadron State students are eligible. West River high school students are also eligible.
- One Team member must be a full time student at South Dakota Mines or other participating institution.
- Each team must submit a business plan.
- Must attend Business Financials and Business Plan Training.
- See Calendar Below
- Business Plan Training
- Financial Training by Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
- Mentoring by Entrepreneurs-In-Residence
- All teams must provide a written business plan with financial statements
- Semi-Finalist to present their business plan to panel of judges (7 minute presentation, 3 minute q/a)
- 30% Quality of Business Plan
- 40% Impact of Presentation
- 30% Overall Assessment of Business Potential
- 1st Place - $4,000
- 2nd Place - $3,000
- 3rd Place - $2,000
- 1st Place High School - $500
- Best Agricultural Plan - $1,000
2024 Competition Calendar
| Event | Date |
| Information Sessions |
September 11 @ 5 pm |
| Registration: Register Here | By Friday, September 20th |
| Business Plan Training |
September 23 @ 5 pm |
| Mentor Support: Each team will receive a mentor(s) by | Week of September 22 |
| Business Financials Training: Hosted by Small Business Development Center (SBDC) | Week of October 13 |
| Submit Business Plan to economic.development@sdsmt.edu | Due November 17 |
| Notification of Finalists | November 26 |
| Finalist Pitches and Awards | December 7 at 8 am King Center, Hall of Fame Conference Room |
Have more questions?
Thank you Sponsors!
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Darren
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* Governor's Office of Economic Development funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the US Small Business Administration.