Ford Rewards Student Entrepreneurs
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Ford recently honored young business leaders in the 2009 Ford HBCU Business Classic. Some of the nations top students submitted business plans for expert review and judging. Held at Clark Atlanta University, the contest showcased the best and brightest minds from Historically Black Colleges and Universities around the country. Student teams from Florida A&M University and Howard University won $100,000 in scholarship prizes for their innovative business plans.
The Competition
The students’ business plans were evaluated on the viability of their business model, as well as presentation and the business plan’s potential benefit to the community.
“As an HBCU graduate I know firsthand the impact that programs such as the Ford HBCU Business Classic can have on students,” said Crystal Worthem, Multicultural Marketing Manager, Ford Brand. “The real-world solutions presented during the competition are extremely timely and will have huge positive implications on communities and businesses nationwide. We are excited to pave the way for this next generation of business leaders, and gain their perspective about the current economic situation and solutions for the domestic auto industry.”
The teams had 25 minutes to present their business plans to the judges and prove that their plan can be converted into a viable business strategy. Plans were judged by a panel of judges that included influential entrepreneurs from the business community.
“This is my second year participating in the Ford HBCU Business Classic and the students continue to impress me with the level of professional dedication that they put into their business plans,” said Dr. Randal Pinkett. “They are presenting timely real-world solutions and business models for a number of industries, including real estate, automotive, manufacturing, technology and the environment. These finalists are poised to become the business leaders of tomorrow.”
Florida A&M and Howard Take Top Prizes
Students from Florida A& M University in Tallahassee, FL, received the grand prize for their business plan for VMed LLC. This life changing company is planned to utilize technology to simplify people’s health care needs. As the grand prize winning team, the students from Florida A&M received a total of $50,000 in scholarship funds.
Howard University students presented a plan for AutoCard, a student printing company with licensing rights to incorporate university logos on student business cards. They received $30,000 in scholarships. Hajj Media, also from Howard University, took home second place honors for a plan to offer multitier marketing solution for local small businesses.
Students from Lincoln University also placed in the finals with their strategic plan for an architectural firm dealing with industrial, commercial and residential services in Philadelphia.
Got a Great Business Idea?
It’s too late for this year, but bookmark www.FordHBCU.com and plant to enter the competition next year.
