Our Annual Contest for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
The Kravis Concept Plan Competition is for students and alumni of The Claremont Colleges who think they have what it takes to be entrepreneurs.
In the first round of the competition, participants will submit a concept plan that outlines their business idea. If selected as a finalist, they will pitch their plans to a panel of experienced judges for a chance to win up to $10,000 in cash prizes and a shot at bringing their venture to life.
History
In conjunction with the naming of the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management, Henry R. Kravis, a founding member of the Board of Visitors, established a $175,000 endowment fund. Each year the income from this endowment is awarded to the student(s) or alumni, if any, who demonstrate real promise as entrepreneurs. The amount awarded each year depends on the interest from the endowment and the number of awards granted. No more than three will be granted; if no submissions are deemed worthy, no awards will be made. Awards will be made by a committee of judges consisting of practitioners involved in entrepreneurial ventures and venture capital.
Eligibility
Students and alumni of any of The Claremont Colleges may enter this competition.
What do I need to do?
Students and alumni who wish to compete for the award must submit concept plans that may not exceed 10 pages. The ideas and reports must be original but may be the work of a team consisting of no more than four students/alumni. Entrants will be asked to attest to the originality of the idea.
How do I enter?
Interested students and alumni must first complete and submit an Intent to Compete form to ensure they receive important communications about the competition. Participants must then submit an electronic zipped folder containing 1) their concept plan, 2) a completed W-9 or W-8BEN form for each team member, and 3) a statement waiving confidentiality for the purposes of judging (one per team) to ally.moder@cgu.edu by the deadline established in the guidelines. In the zipped folder, please include a separate file with the following information:
- a cover letter with your concept name
- one sentence that describes your concept
- a list of team members
- the name of school and class year for all team members
Starting in 2023, we will no longer be selecting only 4 teams to present their concept plan, but 10. The 10 selected teams will be asked to create a 5-minute video pitching their plan. Each team will receive faculty advisor support in developing their plan and IT support in filming their video. These videos will be presented on the day of the competition in front of our live audience and panel of expert judges.
2023 APPLICATION MATERIALS
- Kravis Concept Plan Guidelines (PDF)
- Intent to Compete
- Form W-9 (PDF)
- Form W-8BEN (PDF) in place of Form W-9 for international students only
- Elements of a Concept Plan (PDF)
- Waiver of Confidentiality (PDF)
2023 PREP SESSIONS
- Information Session (PDF)
- Workshop (PDF)
Past winners
2022: Navfeas
2021: Yoodli
2020: The Cut
2019: Social Cipher
2018: SKIN-spiration Truck
2017: MagStrong
2016: Start Art Legal
2015: Sifty
2014: LiangYou Language Partners
2013: Life Patch
2012: Serengetee
2011: Banana Storage
Contact ally.moder@cgu.edu for additional information.
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