UCL, with Lancaster, York and Queen’s Belfast universities in the UK, has teamed up with five Chinese universities to run an entrepreneurship competition to encourage the formation of joint ventures between the two countries.
The competition has two tracks: one (Tomorrow’s Leaders) for students and one (Innovative Business) for existing businesses working with China. It is intended to simulate the real-world process of entrepreneurs soliciting start-up funds from early-stage investors and venture capital firms.
Entrepreneurs and existing small businesses will be expected to be using their international links in an innovative way, whether the relationship is customer-supplier, joint R&D, or marketing, with the aim of demonstrating how small companies can thrive across borders and cultures.
Thirty-two teams will be selected to take part, competing for up to £9,500 in prizes in the national rounds, together with an investment opportunity of £250,000 in the international final.
Entrants can register at: http://www.chinaukchallenge.com
Key Dates:
Idea Assessment - 26 February 2010
Semi-Finals - April 2010
National Finals - June 2010
International Final - July 2010
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