North Carolina Central University (NCCU)’s School of Business will host the inaugural NCCU Eagle Idea Competition on April 11, 2019. NCCU students who are aspiring entrepreneurs will be provided an opportunity to present their business ideas to a panel of judges from Oracle, Amazon and the North Carolina business community. Students will have an opportunity to win up to $6,000 in awards thanks to support from the Oracle Gobal Startup Ecosystem, a global program that fosters entrepreneurial innovation.
The competition will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. in the H.M. Michaux Jr. School of Education Building Auditorium on the university’s campus.
The event is a collaborative effort involving the university’s six colleges and schools to encourage entrepreneurship through elevating potential, imagination and collaboration.
“This initiative speaks to the university’s commitment to developing opportunities for students to innovate and achieve their entrepreneurial aspirations - regardless of their major field of study,” said School of Business Dean Anthony Nelson, Ph.D.
Participants worked with faculty mentors and experienced coaches from the entrepreneurship community leading up to the event to research their industry, determine relevant content and improve presentation techniques.
Twelve finalists were selected from an application pool of 34 entries to continue to the semi-finals. The final competition will feature the top six ideas from participants, who will each have time for a five-minute presentation. A panel of judges determines the top three winners.
“NCCU provides invaluable resources to Durham and the state of North Carolina through its dynamic and knowledgeable student body and strong academic leadership. The ideas and entrepreneurial spirit that flows through this university is inspiring and needed as we continue to witness first-hand how technology is benefitting our business and consumer lives,” said Jason Williamson, Vice President, Oracle Global Startup Ecosystem.
“NCCU has a well-established entrepreneurial landscape from its historic footprint and Durham’s Black Wall Street roots to the resurgence of young entrepreneurs and start-up ventures,” Nelson added.
