Competition Solicits Business Plans for Boomer-Focused Ventures

Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business and Mary Furlong & Associates are soliciting business plans for the seventh annual Silicon Valley Boomer Venture Summit and Business Plan Competition, taking place at Santa Clara University on June 15—16, 2010.

The summit features a business plan competition, where finalists will compete for a $10,000 grand prize or $1,000 for best elevator pitch. Judges will include Andy Donner, director, Physic Ventures LLC and Nancy Kamei, sector director, Intel Capital. For a complete list of the judges, please visit http://www.scuboomerventure.com/bplan/judges.html.

The deadline for business-plan submissions from interested entrepreneurs is 5 p.m., PST, Friday, April 23. To enter the competition, please join the Summit’s group at YouNoodle:www.younoodle.com/groups/scuboomerventure.

Business plans should be focused in one or more of the following areas: biodesign; medical devices; geriatrics and gerontology; or “aging in place” technology. Semifinalists will be selected April 28, finalists on May 26, and winners announced June 16 during the Summit.

The annual summit is a venue for entrepreneurs and venture capitalists (VCs) to share information about serving or investing in companies that serve the boomer market, consumers 45 and older. Leading VCs will discuss why they are investing heavily in this market; company executives will discuss their business plans; and VC analysts will explain how they segment the market and evaluate business opportunities.

“The 'longevity marketplace' for boomers and seniors is akin to the Internet in l996,” said Mary Furlong, event producer and dean's executive professor of entrepreneurship at SCU. “The difference is there is no bubble when it comes to the opportunity regarding aging. Our summit provides a forum for talented entrepreneurs and the venture capital community to connect around this growing and lucrative marketplace.”

The summit’s sponsors include AARP, Caring.com and Southwest Airlines. For more information, please visitwww.scuboomerventure.com or send an email to inquiries@scuboomerventure.com.

About the Leavey School of Business
The Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University began in 1926, and was one of the first business schools in the country to receive national accreditation. Its undergraduate business, MBA and Executive MBA programs are consistently ranked among the top in the nation. The curriculum at all levels emphasizes the leadership role of business in creating an ethical society as well as business responsibilities for social justice and sustainability in the global marketplace. The School opened its new $49 million building for undergraduate, graduate, and professional business education in Fall 2008. For more information, see www.scu.edu/business/

About Mary Furlong & Associates
Mary Furlong & Associates works with companies seeking to capitalize on new business and investment opportunities in the boomer market. The company provides business development, financing strategy and integrated marketing solutions to entrepreneurs, corporations and non-profit organizations serving the 50+ market. Mary Furlong is the Dean’s Executive Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Leavey School of Business. Seewww.maryfurlong.com for more information about the boomer marketplace.