Utah Student 25 looking for student entrepreneurs

Academic and corporate leaders met in the beginning of July to launch Utah Student 25 to recognize the 25 fastest-growing student businesses in the state of Utah.

Utah Student 25 is an awards program designed to celebrate the achievements of student entrepreneurs, the businesses they have created, and their economic impact. The kick-off event was hosted at Snowbird and was attended by the U of U, BYU, UVU, Weber State and Westminster College.

Much like the nationwide Inc. 500 list, this Utah Student 25 ranking hopes to spur on economic activity and foster networking and cooperation, providing professional standards against which to measure.

Though there have been many great business plan competitions across the state and at individual universities, there has never been a state wide competition that recognizes students who accept the challenges of going to school and running a business.

The 2009 Utah Student 25 winners will be honored at a special awards gala on Thursday Nov. 5, 2009 at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City. Winners receive recognition, significant exposure and opportunities to interact with successful Utah leaders including entrepreneurs, angel investors and venture capitalists. Seating is limited, so please request to attend in advance.

Utah Student 25 is sponsored by Omniture, Silicon Slopes, Utah CEO, Cornerstone Media, Compass Outdoor, BTJD, Grant Thornton, Utah Fund of Funds, Funding Universe, Picture This and PilmerPR.

Applications for the Utah Student 25 are being accepted now through Oct. 12, 2009. Prospective applicants and their businesses must meet certain requirements.

Student founders must be undergraduate or graduate students at a two or four-year university located in Utah and approved by the Utah Student 25 Executive Committee. Subject businesses must have been either established while the student-founder was in high school and continued at a university in Utah or been established as a new entity while the student-founder was at a university in Utah.

Student founders must own at least 25% of the business and prior to September 1, 2009 the company must have at least three months of documented financial information. If you are interested in this opportunity watch a video at www.youtube.com/utahstudent25 Or visit their website at www.utahstudent25.com for complete guidelines or to apply.