The University of Oregon boasts a myriad of business plan, financial, and entrepreneurial pitch competition opportunities for students, alumni, and the community. The Lundquist College of Business is home to past and present competitions such as NVC, Duck Tank, Startup Weekend, and more.
Internal Competitions
Provost's Innovation Challenge
Open to University of Oregon students of all majors, the Provost’s Innovation Challenge is a cross-campus business idea competition. Students can pitch their business ideas for a chance to win part of a $22,500 cash pool available in seed funding.
Ducks Disrupt
The Oregon Executive MBA's signature innovation boot camp—Ducks Disrupt—is host to the region's professionals and graduate students who come together for two weekends to learn entrepreneurship essentials, develop startups, and present in the pitch competition.
External Business Plan Competitions
Oregon MBA students have ample opportunities to participate in business plan competitions throughout the United States and internationally based on the competitive strength of a new venture concept and management team. The business plan competition circuit has grown to a level such that successful teams can win upwards of $100,000 in cash awards.
Because of the tremendous hands-on learning opportunities afforded to students by participation in business plan competitions, the Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship provides active support to Oregon MBA student ventures with a traveling faculty advisor and coverage of entry fees and travel expenses, while winnings are retained by the successful competing team.
Examples of business plan competitions in which students regularly have the chance to participate include:
- University of Manitoba Stuart Clark Venture Challenge
- Hong Kong University of Science & Technology International Business Plan Competition
- University of Louisville Cardinal Challenge
Financial Competitions
Finance and securities analysis students have numerous opportunities to compete and participate in case competitions, gaining valuable case analysis and problem-solving skills and experience. A sample of these include:
- The Chartered Financial Analysts' Global Research Investment Challenge was hosted by the Cameron Center for Finance and Securities Analysis at the University of Oregon's Portland campus.
- National Investment Banking Competition in which the most accomplished and dynamic students distinguish themselves and attain international recognition from their peers and senior industry professionals. Competitors use and develop skills in financial analysis, modeling, and pitching—all of which are essential to a successful career in investment banking.
- FDIC competition
- ACG Cup Northwest
New Venture Championship
The New Venture Championship (NVC) had been one of the top graduate investment competitions in the world. Its focus as a student learning experience and its guaranteed interaction with multiple panels of judges in a professional format positioned NVC as an unmatched experience for any student team pursuing a start-up venture. Presented by the University of Oregon’s Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship, NVC attracted schools from across the nation and around the world. Esteemed judges included venture capitalists, seasoned business executives, and experienced entrepreneurs.