2023 Gillespie Business Plan Competition

Apr 21, 2023

Event Overview

Since 2005, the annual Gillespie Business Plan Competition, organized by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) has been fostering entrepreneurship by encouraging students to develop their business ideas. The hallmark program of the CIE is open to any undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at the university.

Over the years, many innovative Ole Miss Students gained their entrepreneurial start and subsequently launched successful companies from the competition. Each year the winners receive over $30,000 in cash and in-kind services. Cash awards are made as scholarships through the students’ bursar account.

The Gillespie Competition runs during the spring semester each year and is open to all interested Ole Miss students or student teams.

This event is held with a public audience and distinguished outside business professionals as judges. The final teams are awarded cash and prizes with the winner also receiving free rent for a year at Insight Park’s Innovation Hub. Since 2019, the Thomas W. Colbert-Community Bank Innovation Award was established to recognize an outstanding venture driven by innovation in a product/process/service or development of a technological change. The Lynn and Ron Samuels Student Entrepreneur Award will also recognize a student entrepreneur venture team who exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit through a venture driven by innovation in a product, process or service. The Stephen E. Rowell Entrepreneur Award is a $5,000 prize awarded to a student entrepreneur venture team or individual, who exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit through a venture driven by innovation in a product, process or service.

Past Gillespie Winners

Event Details

Date:
04-21-2023
Location:
Jackson Avenue Center

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