AU MBA Students to Present Business Ventures at Pitch on the Prairie Event
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Anderson, Ind. — On Monday, April 26, Anderson University’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) students within the Falls School of Business will present their innovative business ideas through the program’s annual Business Plan Competition. This year’s event, titled Pitch on the Prairie, will be held at Conner Prairie in Fishers, Indiana.
The competition includes the program’s five cohorts that meet in Fishers and Carmel, at Anderson University and the 10-month Residential MBA Flagship Center, and online.
Part of the MBA program since 2011, this event is themed after the television show Shark Tank, with one finalist group from each of the five cohorts showcasing their business venture to a panel of judges. The business plans were created as part of the program’s capstone course, Business Plan Development.
The showcase competition allows students to demonstrate their ability to identify and analyze entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial opportunities by integrating elements from all previous courses within the MBA program. The showcase highlights the students’ ability to articulate informed perspectives related to business plan development through their oral presentations. They must not only pitch, but also answer questions and convince the judges of the worth of their proposed venture.
“I’m very excited about this year’s showcase event,” said Dr. Emmett Dulaney, professor of marketing and director of doctoral studies within the AU Falls School of Business. “It’s truly one of the strengths of the MBA program, and this year’s lineup of presentations is one of the best we’ve had in many years. I always appreciate how well the showcase strengthens students and prepares them for their future business endeavors.”
MBA Director David Brewer noted, “Putting together a comprehensive business plan is a great way to demonstrate all that these students have learned — and often, the students go on to actually launch these businesses! I’m always eager to see their innovation, and am impressed at the thorough work they’ve done.”
The judges panel consists of past event winners and business owners within the Anderson community who will decide the winner of the competition. The keynote speaker for the evening will be Pete Bitar, founder, CEO, and chief conceptualist at Electric Jet Aircraft.
This 2021 MBA Business Plan Competition will be held April 26 at Conner Prairie. The event starts at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.