IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

2005 New Venture Challenge nears announcement of winners.

April and May mark times of great activity for those participating in the Howard J. Leonhardt New Venture Challenge, a business plan competition presented by the Eugenio Pino and Family Global Entrepreneurship Center at Florida International University. Celebrating its third anniversary, the Challenge always includes workshops, oral presentations, and significant financial and in-kind awards:

• Undergraduate level-winner: $10,000 in cash and $5,000 in in-kind contributions; 1st runner up: $2,500 in cash
• Graduate level-winner: $10,000 in cash and $5,000 in in-kind contributions; 1st runner up: $2,500 in cash
• Social entrepreneurship specialty prize: $5,000 in cash

Key upcoming milestones include:

• "Presenting Your Business Plan" workshop (fees waived for Challenge participants)-April 30, 2005
• Preliminary oral presentation rounds-May 5, 2005
• Final oral presentations-May 11, 2005
• FIU Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon, at which the winners are announced-May 12, 2005.

New Venture Challenge 2004