Newsroom

CORVALLIS, Ore. - You may have an idea for a great new product or business - whether it is a food cart or some new technology innovation that will change the world - but how do you turn that idea into reality?

Oregon State University's Austin Entrepreneurship Program is launching the "Building Your Killer Business Plan" series, designed to help budding entrepreneurs take an innovative idea and craft a business plan to develop it.

The first event in the series is a networking night that will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 6, in Weatherford Hall Room D107 (the Trysting Tree Conference Room) on the OSU campus. This is an introductory event to build teams and meet others with business ideas. Students will also gain experience to support their ideas and projects for submission to The Enterprise Challenge, OSU's business plan competition which will be held in April, 2011.

The series is designed to benefit the community and the campus.

"For students, the series is highly experiential learning where they are getting exposure to seasoned entrepreneurs and business professionals who have succeeded in business," said Christopher Klemm, director of the Austin Entrepreneurship Program.

"A number of people in the community have the same need," Klemm pointed out. "They have the seed of an idea in their head, but how do they take the next step and develop a plan for turning that idea into a marketable product?"

There are more than 10 events in "Building Your Killer Business Plan" series and all include opportunities to meet and network with successful entrepreneurs.

All events in the Building Your Business Plan Series are free and open to the community.