Imagine a degree program which has as its mission to teach college students “how to make money, while giving back to the community.” Envision an undergraduate program which equips students to be able to secure great jobs and to create great jobs. This was the vision of Dallas real estate entrepreneur Nancy Richards First Preston HT founder and chairman. Three years ago Richards endowed a global entrepreneurship program via the Neeley School of Business at TCU. Shortly thereafter the Values and Ventures™ Business Plan Competition became a reality.
Richards together with Values and Ventures co-founder, Lisa Barrentine added a new prize to the line- up this year. The Founders Award will encourage bold thinking and cutting-edge initiatives. The $5,000 prize will be awarded by the co-founders to inspire future entrepreneurs to dream big and plan well.
This year the Neeley School of Business at TCU hosts its third annual business plan competition, April 19-20. Twenty eight undergraduate teams from across the country and around the world will compete for $43,000 in start-up funding. Each business plan must demonstrate a sustainable profitability model as well as a core component of community service. Other business plan competitions exclude under-graduate participation. “I think that entrepreneurship needs to be fostered in every way at every level,” stated Richards.
Successful entrepreneurs in their own right, Nancy Richards and Lisa Barrentine lead the First Preston HT family of companies (First Preston Management, BidSelect, and HomeTelos). During their 25 year history in real estate management and technology solutions, they have marketed and sold over 440,000 properties valued at over $40 billion. They have done so while demonstrating the principles of corporate responsibility and donating over $16 million to community service organizations across the country. Nancy Richards First Preston HT staffers are avid supporters of numerous community service initiatives.
The competition will be held April 19-20 at TCU’s Brown-Lupton University Union at 2901 Stadium Drive, Fort Worth. Who will win? Follow the two-day competition at www.facebook.com/neeleyschoolofbusinessattcu, on Twitter @NeeleySchoolTCU #tcuvv13, and live at www.neeley.tcu.edu/livestream Saturday 9am-1pm for finalists’ presentations, and Saturday evening beginning at 7pm for announcements of winners.
To read more about the First Preston HT family of companies visit http://www.firstprestonht.com/ Find them on Facebook or follow on Twitter.