Comments on: Competing for competition’s sake http://blog.simeonov.com/2009/11/28/competing-for-competitions-sake/ Simeon Simeonov on entrepreneurship, innovation & venture capital Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:31:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Maryellen Wantz http://blog.simeonov.com/2009/11/28/competing-for-competitions-sake/#comment-19094 Mon, 02 May 2011 15:25:21 +0000 http://blog.simeonov.com/?p=611#comment-19094 I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is needed to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100% certain. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

]]> By: Are We Actually Creating Startups Through Business Plan Competitions? « Robert Shedd http://blog.simeonov.com/2009/11/28/competing-for-competitions-sake/#comment-18563 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:32:54 +0000 http://blog.simeonov.com/?p=611#comment-18563 [...] However, I think that if you’re going to do something, you should do it in the most effective way possible, especially with the resources, publicity, and sponsorship dollars at play here. But, instead, business plan competitions are tired, old and out-of-date. And, for an excellent pairing, you have, of course, the criticism that the results are rather dubious… [...]

]]> By: Anna Palmer http://blog.simeonov.com/2009/11/28/competing-for-competitions-sake/#comment-18499 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:03:51 +0000 http://blog.simeonov.com/?p=611#comment-18499 I know one of them. I will email her about it tomorrow. I think it would be a fantastic partnership. If you happen to have connections with the organizers as well, feel free to spread the word. I would be happy to talk to our Harvard Law Entrepreneurship group about it as well.

]]> By: Simeon Simeonov http://blog.simeonov.com/2009/11/28/competing-for-competitions-sake/#comment-18486 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:36:49 +0000 http://blog.simeonov.com/?p=611#comment-18486 Anna, great idea. Do you know the MIT 100K organizers?

]]> By: Anna Palmer http://blog.simeonov.com/2009/11/28/competing-for-competitions-sake/#comment-18485 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:16:40 +0000 http://blog.simeonov.com/?p=611#comment-18485 Hi Simeon,

I thought your post was really interesting. As a Harvard Law student entering the business plan competition, I found a great deal of my time was taken up by diligence as I wanted to ensure our company knew the market and potential problems well. Reading your post sparked an idea: since there is not much interest at MIT for diligence work, what about partnering with Harvard Law? Since many of us worked on diligence for corporate acquisitions over the summer, and we have a requirement of fulfilling 40 hours of pro-bono service, we both have the skill set and the motivation to become involved. It could be a fantastic win-win partnership where MIT is provided research to help round out the judging process, and Harvard Law students interested in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, or venture capital would learn real world skills.

If you are interested in the idea, I would be happy to speak with you about it and bring the idea to Harvard Law for you.

Great post!
Anna Palmer
JD Candidate 2011
afreidinger@jd10.law.harvard.edu

]]> By: Zommaallock http://blog.simeonov.com/2009/11/28/competing-for-competitions-sake/#comment-18409 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:13:34 +0000 http://blog.simeonov.com/?p=611#comment-18409 Thankz for the news!

]]> By: Simeon Simeonov http://blog.simeonov.com/2009/11/28/competing-for-competitions-sake/#comment-18366 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:17:44 +0000 http://blog.simeonov.com/?p=611#comment-18366 John, I’m looking forward to learning more about the details of the MassChallenge contest.

]]> By: John Harthorne http://blog.simeonov.com/2009/11/28/competing-for-competitions-sake/#comment-18365 Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:56:52 +0000 http://blog.simeonov.com/?p=611#comment-18365 Sim/all,

What if instead of using a volunteer judging panel to determine winners based on rushed/inadequate diligence, we ran a massive competition that integrated the investment community and let the resulting investments dictate the ultimate winners?

That is essentially the MassChallenge model that we are launching next year in Massachusetts (www.masschallenge.org). In many ways, we are combining the 100K model and the Techstars model. Note that we do intend to provide grants based on the selection of a judging panel, but the real benefits will be provided via investments and other resources leveraged out of the surrounding ecosystem, and those are the key metrics against which we will judge our success.

- John

]]> By: Simeon Simeonov http://blog.simeonov.com/2009/11/28/competing-for-competitions-sake/#comment-18247 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:01:25 +0000 http://blog.simeonov.com/?p=611#comment-18247 Theo, thanks for joining the conversation.

Having been a TechStars mentor, I think a Y-Combinator/TechStars model is a great idea for B-Schools. It does require more intensity, though, so I’m not sure how it can be integrated into the programs. It also requires more doers than thinkers.

]]> By: Theo V http://blog.simeonov.com/2009/11/28/competing-for-competitions-sake/#comment-18244 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:20:52 +0000 http://blog.simeonov.com/?p=611#comment-18244 Good points out here and good comment by Darren. I would also disagree that “loosing is better than winning” . At the Chicago GSB two companies that won “Grubhub” and “PrepMe” are now doing quite well.

I personally believe in the Y-combinator model. I think b-schools should look into doing that rather than the traditional bus. plan competition.

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