EUGENE–Business students from all over the United States–drawn by the allure of cash prizes and the chance to dazzle deep-pocket venture capitalists and private investors–will showcase their business plans at the eighth annual University of Oregon New Venture Competition March 4—6.

Top MBA students from 10 states will vie for a share of the $13,500 prize money during the competition at the UO Charles H. Lundquist College of Business. The panel of judges is made up of potential investors.

Bill Newman, a principal with the Portland, Ore., venture capital fund, Shaw Venture Partners, describes the UO competition as a showcase for business ideas that push the envelope.

"Many of these plans present both a new product idea and a true vision for business," says Newman, who is serving a second year as competition judge.

The Edward Lowe Foundation, a Michigan-based charitable group that encourages entrepreneurship, is sponsor of this year’s competition.

The 1999 UO New Venture Competition begins Thursday, March 4. A buffet dinner and an exhibition of the new venture ideas begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Valley River Inn, 1000 Valley River Way, Eugene. Registration for the banquet and the exhibit is $15. For reservations, call the Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship, (541) 346-3420.

Preliminary round presentations are from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 5, in the Pittman Room at the Casanova Athletic Center, 2727 Leo Harris Parkway. The presentations are free and open to the public. Finalists will be announced at 6:30 p.m. Friday at a reception at the Valley River Inn.

Finalist presentations are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at the Casanova Center. An awards banquet is from 6—8 p.m. Saturday at the Paul Olum Atrium in Willamette Hall, 1371 E. 13th Ave. Admission for the banquet is $15. For reservations, call the Lundquist Center.

Participants in the 1999 event are:

• University of Georgia–TechTranslators proposes to provide foreign language translation of web sites and e-mail for companies engaged in international on-line business. Adviser: Charles Hofer.

• University of Louisville–Palmer Safety Systems will produce and market a rollover alarm and emergency notification system for farm equipment. Adviser: Jeffrey Bracker and Van Clouse.

• University of Arizona–Veritext offers a cost-effective means for medical service providers to ensure compliance with government regulations. Advisers: Jennifer Brunner and Wayne Gyllenhall.

• University of Oregon–Internet Discovery is making a powerful new Internet search tool for investors and Internet researchers. Adviser: Alan Meyer.

• San Diego State University–Application Technologies is marketing a new form of packaging called the AppliK pouch, a unit-dose disposable package with a built-in applicator. Adviser: Alex DeNoble and Sanford Erlich.

• University of the Pacific–Fertagra is introducing a fertilization system that works with home irrigation and sprinkler systems. Adviser: Jim Fiet.

• University of Wisconsin at Madison–Eco-Logic is a recycling firm that collects, disassembles and resells waste electronic equipment. Adviser: Phil Greenwood.

• University of Pennsylvania–Pinpoint Training provides executive business training targeted toward lawyers, physicians, consultants and accountants. Adviser: Ian MacMillan.

• California State University at Northridge–New Millennium Medical specializes in advanced wound care products using new hydrogel technology. Adviser: Deborah Cours.

• University of Texas at Austin –CPA.QUEST is an Internet recruiting service for CPAs. Adviser: Gary Cadenhead.

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