Do you have a business idea but don't know where to begin turning it into a reality? The Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the College of Business Administration is providing students, faculty and friends (from all disciplines) the opportunity to learn from entrepreneurs and business experts about the "nuts and bolts" of how to start a business.

The Vol Court Spring 2011 session is a seven-part series of in-depth, hands-on, one-hour workshops focused on the mechanics of starting a business. Workshop presenters are from various organizations throughout Tennessee with experience in entrepreneurial endeavors.

Vol Court sessions begin on Feb. 1; the March 8 session includes a pitch competition in which the top presenting individual or team will win $500. Students attending Vol Court will be better prepared for the upcoming campus-wide Undergraduate Business Plan Competition, details to be announced soon.

Vol Court will be held for seven consecutive Tuesdays at 5:15 p.m. in Room 701 of Stokely Management Center. Session topics are:

·         Feb. 1:            Evaluating the Business Opportunity

·         Feb. 8:            Developing the Business Model

·         Feb. 15:          How to Pitch the Concept to Investors

·         Feb. 22:          How to Choose and Set up the Business Structure

·         Mar. 1:            Understanding and Setting Up a Financial System

·         Mar. 8:            Networking to Build Your Business (and pitch competition)

·         Mar 22:           Funding Your Business Through SBIR Grants

 

Joy Fisher

Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

865-974-0520

http://www.andersoncei.utk.edu