If you’re trying to decide whether you should enter the UW Business Plan Competition, the answer is “yes!” If you have something you’re working on, the  best thing you can do is start talking to people, including potential customers, about your idea.

The UW Business Plan Competition is an awesome way to gain market validation by pitching your idea, gathering feedback, and reiterating. Eight to ten people read every submission to the competition and provide written feedback. Remember what Andy Sack said: “Ideas don’t equal opportunities.”  The only way to know if your idea holds water is to get it out of your head, down on paper, and out into the real world. What do you have to lose?

The submission to the competition is a 5-7 page executive summary and the deadline to enter is April 3. See example submissions and judging criteria on the UW Business Plan website.