The Nascent 500 Business Plan Challenge is hosted by Ball State’s Entrepreneurship Center and is being held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 28, 2008. Undergraduate students from across the country are encouraged to apply.

Located in Indiana, we found it only fitting to honor a true Indiana tradition by conducting this event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Nascent 500 is sure to be an exciting spectacle of entrepreneurial thinking with challenges at every slightly-banked turn.

500 Word abstract and a business plan will determine which 12 undergraduate student teams will move on to the qualifying round at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The order of presentation will be based on the abstracts.

500 Dollars to each undergraduate student (maximum of 3 students per team) whose business plan is selected as one of twelve qualifiers.

500 Seconds to present your business plan in the back of the limo as it travels around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Choose your words wisely and fast.

500 Apologies to the eight teams who will not pass on to the final round. Four student teams will advance to the final round and present again to win over $18,000 in prizes. The winner will receive a victory lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a quart of milk and $10,000.

Awards
1st Place - $10,000
2nd Place - $5,000
3rd Place - $2,500
4th Place - $1,000

2008 Timeline
December 7, 2007 - Registration Forms Due
January 22, 2008 - Business Plans Due
February 15, 2008 - 12 Finalists Notified
February 29, 2008 - Pole Position Papers & Final Plans Due
March 28, 2008 - Limo Presentations and Final Round