Students to pitch startups in competition

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – April 15, 2015) The public is invited to watch California Lutheran University students pitch their startup projects in the finals of the New Venture Competition on Thursday, April 30.

Judges will award $2,000 to the top team and additional cash prizes to the other finalists in the second annual competition. Audience members will vote for the people’s choice award.

Beginning at 4 p.m., the five finalist teams will each make a 10-minute pitch and answer questions from a panel of judges in Lundring Events Center on the Thousand Oaks campus. Food and beverages will be served during deliberations and voting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Award announcements will follow. The free event is part of the university’s five-day Ninth Annual Festival of Scholars.

About 40 students entered the competition in January. They attended workshops, brainstormed ideas for new businesses, formed teams, identified and interviewed potential customers, and developed product ideas with guidance from faculty members and professionals. Faculty organizers will narrow the field to five teams the week before the finals.

The Cal Lutheran Center for Entrepreneurship is hosting the competition to provide undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines with the opportunity to learn entrepreneurial skills, experience the challenge of launching a startup business, and connect with mentors and investors.

Dallas Capital, NewLeaf, 805 Connect, Skyline Home Loans, SoCal IP Law Group, TrackR, RKS, Startup Weekend, Persistance Partners, Tech Coast Angels and Juggle the World are sponsoring the competition.

Registration is requested. To RSVP or for more information, go to CalLutheran.edu/entrepreneurship.