Elon University's Doherty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership has been selected as an entrant endorser for the 2011 MassChallenge because of its deep involvement in the global entrepreneurial ecosystem. MassChallenge is running the largest global startup competition to catalyze the launch and success of high-growth, high-impact new businesses. The $1 million competition will launch on March 7, 2011.
“The world is full of great ideas, but only a few become reality,” said John Harthorne, founder of the MassChallenge. “Novice entrepreneurs require advice, resources and funding to bring their ideas to fruition. Currently there is a gap between the resources these entrepreneurs need and the ability of the entrepreneurial ecosystem to provide them.”
MassChallenge is addressing this gap with a venture creation competition. They use the power of competition to create urgency, and to identify and aggregate high-impact teams and resources. Their team strengthen and accelerate finalists by providing them high-quality, personalized mentorship and by connecting them to potential team members, advisors, customers and sponsors.
“As a supporter of the MassChallenge from concept inception through launch, it is a pleasure to add value in the selection process of this unique venture creation catalyst,” said Gary Palin, executive director of the Doherty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership
The Doherty Center will be able give endorsements to entrant teams. Endorsements provide additional points toward participants judging evaluations. Elon students, alumni and other friends of the Doherty Center who are interested in participating in the MassChallenge should forward their venture’s executive summary to Dave Jackson at djackson8@elon.edu.