The ELI Institute hosts their annual Business Plan Competition: Plan Your Passion and Live Your Dream, to encourage Howard University students to put their ideas and dreams in a formal business, in order for them to be prepared for any opportunity of investment that might come their way. It is a motivating experience for the students, with monetary incentives for those who win 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

The business plans are judged by the National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC). These professionals in the field look for the viability of the business idea, the probability of growth, ability to generate returns for shareholders and investors, and the overall presentation. Other partnering organizations are the Washington DC Small Business Development Center, and the US Small Business Administration.

Winners of the competition will receive cash prizes ranging from $5,000.00 to $2,000.00, depending on what place is achieved. So get ready and put your thinking caps on, because the ELI Institute business plan competition is heating up more each year. Don’t be left in the cold!