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Complete PDF document with all information

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Sponsor's Menu

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Complete Sponsor Info Package

If you have further questions please contact Larae Hackney:

Phone: 406-243-4830
Email: larae.hackney@business.umt.edu

Platinum Sponsors ($2,500+):

Alpine Log Homes

City Brew Coffee

Flathead Beacon

George C. Dodge Foundation

Huse Law Office, P.C.

saltStudio

Seaspan/Kyle Washington

Surgical Principles, Inc.

Temp Right Services/Fred Ferreira

University of Montana Office of the President

Gold Sponsors ($1,000+):

Allied Waste Systems

Anderson ZurMuehlen

Bank of Montana

Big Sky Brewing Company

Broadway Inn

Campus Inn

First Security Bank of Missoula

Glacier Venture Fund - John Marchi

Governor's Office of Economic Development

Hilton Garden Inn

Merlin Information Services

Missoula Federal Credit Union

Missoulian

Montana Board of Investments

Mountain West Bank

Northern Rockies Venture Fund/Ed Wetherbee

NorthWestern Energy

Old Saw Mill District Project

Payne Financial Group
PrintingForLess.com

Pyron Technologies

Quality Construction

Smurfit-Stone Container

Spiker Communications

US Bank

vSpring Capital

Wells Fargo Bank

Western States Insurance

 

High Growth & Lifestyle Divisions

The 19th Annual John Ruffatto Business Plan Competition will have two divisions. Students are required to indicate on their entry form which division they would like to compete in.  It is to their advantage to select the division that most closely matches the proposed new business venture. As such, please read the following descriptions below carefully before selecting your division:

 

High Growth Potential: High Growth Potential ventures generally have the following characteristics:

  • Potential to be viewed as an attractive equity investment opportunity by angel investors and/or venture capitalists
  • Potential to make an impact on the economy in which they operate through significant job and wealth creation
  • Involve developing a product or service that is innovative in nature and has the potential to be sold internationally (i.e., sales for these ventures are not limited to a single community, state, or region)
  • Can be based on a breakthrough technology or the application of a technology in a new way
  • Business plan is relatively focused on sales growth and expansion

Lifestyle Businesses: Lifestyle companies include small consulting companies, local restaurants, laundromats, barber shops, hardware stores, and so on. Lifestyle businesses generally have the following characteristics:

·        Local businesses that will likely never have yearly sales greater than $1-2 million in a year

·        Business is not primarily focused on increasing the wealth of investors

·        Instead of money, the most common motivation of the lifestyle entrepreneur is a desire for independence. This includes the desire to work for themselves, and run a business that would fit around their lifestyles and ages

·        Lifestyle businesses are generally designed around the entrepreneur’s lifestyle goals rather than financial rewards

NOTE: Selection Judges reserve the right to place teams in the appropriate division.  Finalists invited to the competition will be notified regarding which division they are assigned to.

 
 
       

 
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