WCBA looks for a few good ideas for Burgan prize
Youngstown State University’s Entrepreneurship Center at the Williamson College of Business Administration is launching the second Annual Entrepreneurship Center Business Plan Competition featuring the John Burgan Entrepreneurship Prize.
A $2,400 grand prize will be awarded to the YSU student with the most promising and innovative business idea as determined by a panel of judges. Applicants should submit a five- to seven-page business plan proposal outlining their business idea and how the prize of $2,400 will be used to advance the idea by midnight on Sunday, April 4.
All completed business plans can be emailed to competition coordinator John Rossi at jfrossi@ysu.edu or to the Entrepreneurship Center at WCBAEntrepreneurshipCenter@ysu.edu. Businesses do not have to exist, but if the business is operating, the proposal should include details on current operations. Proposals will be judged based on feasibility, market assessment, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
“We are eager to open the 2021 Entrepreneurship Center Business Plan Competition again this year, and are very grateful to Patrick Burgan by his continued support and generosity in funding the John Burgan Entrepreneurship Prize,” Rossi said.
Finalists will be invited to present their business plans to judges at noon Monday, April 12, and the winner will be announced the same day.
The Entrepreneurship Center at the Williamson College of Business promotes entrepreneurship initiatives and formulates innovative programs, as well as encourages the entrepreneurship spirit throughout the community. In choosing to become an entrepreneur, University students learn how to transform an idea, product or service into a viable business opportunity. Youngstown State University students, regardless of major, can also expand their knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship by adding a Minor or a Certificate in Entrepreneurship to their credentials.
The John Burgan Entrepreneurship Prize was established in honor of John Burgan, entrepreneur, businessman, salesman and a community leader, by his son, Patrick Burgan, YSU graduate and second-generation broker-owner of Burgan Real Estate.
“My father has and continues to be an example of how success is not only defined by the achievements in your career, but by the positive difference you make in the lives of others," Patrick Burgan said. "Like my father did for me, this gift is a way to invest both financial resources and confidence in a well-deserving student at Youngstown State University to assist them in going after their entrepreneurial dream.”
Youngstown State University began offering commerce classes in the early 1920s. The WCBA is accredited by AACSB International the premier accrediting agency for business schools around the world. The success of 1,700 undergraduate students and 400 graduate students is supported by 58 full-time faculty members, 45 part-time faculty members and 17 full-time staff members. In addition to graduate programs in Accounting, Business, Economics and Communication, undergraduate Business majors are offered in Advertising/Public Relations, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Human Resource Management, Management, International Business, and Marketing. Communication majors include Communication Studies, Journalism and Telecommunication Studies. The WCBA houses the Department of Communication, the Department of Management and Marketing, Lariccia School of Accounting and Finance, the Center for Undergraduate Student Services, Center for Career Management, Ohio Small Business Development Center at YSU, Export Assistance Network, Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Entrepreneurship Center, Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Williamson Center for International Business.