MtvU and the New York Stock Exchange are offering $25,000 to college students with an original, socially conscious, innovative and potentially profitable business proposal that uses social media to market the business.
The “Movers & Changers” competition is open to college students 16 to 28 years old working in groups of up to three or individually.
The top three groups or individuals will fly to New York City to participate in Global Entrepreneurship Week, where they can network with prominent business leaders and present their ideas to the “Movers & Changers” Board, which has not yet been announced.
The finalists will also be featured on mtvU in the series “Movers & Changers,” premiering Nov. 17.
For those who have a great business idea but no formal proposal, mtvU is also offering a $2,500 grand prize.
“MtvU has always been about putting incredible opportunities before our audience and watching them put its unbridled and limitless creativity to work,” said Carlo DiMarco, vice president of strategic partnerships and development at mtvU, in an e-mail.
The grand prize winners will receive $25,000 to start the business and have the opportunity to ring the NYSE Closing Bell, a privilege usually reserved for the world’s most successful CEOs and entrepreneurs.
DiMarco said students should not be intimidated by the competition, but look at it as a chance to put their careers and businesses on a fast track to success.
Last year’s competition was won by students from Tulane University and their “Wet Tea” business idea. For every box of tea sold, the group planned to donate money to the preservation and reconstruction for the Gulf Coast wetlands.
More information and the application for this year’s competition can be found at www.moversandchangers.com. The $25,000 competition deadline is Oct. 8 and the $2,500 competition ends Nov. 5.
