Wharton MBA students teamed up with FriarTuck, and participated in the prestigious Wharton Business Plan Competition, and has proceeded to become one of the 8 finalists

(United States of America, Pennsylvania) 15 April, 2003- A team of Wharton graduate business students; Ee-ching Tay, Piollo Lucia Abegail Jean,  Roman Cepeda and David Capece, teamed up with FriarTuck, and participated in the prestigious Wharton Business Plan Competition. 

The Business Plan Competition consists of three phases and a Venture Fair. Phase I encourages participation by as many students as possible through the development and appraisal of a business concept. Phase II requires a more detailed description of the business concept and 25 contestants are short-listed based on the quality of their submissions. Phase III invites the 25 semi-finalists to describe their concept in a full business plan. From these semi-finalists, 8 finalists are selected to present their plans before a panel of judges at the Venture Fair where cash prizes are awarded to assist the process of business initiation.

The team representing FriarTuck has successfully passed the Phase III; i.e., it is one of the 8 finalists to present at the Venture Fair. The Venture Fair is the landmark event of the Wharton Business Plan Competition. It is an opportunity for the Competition's finalist teams to present their business plans to distinguished judges who will award the prizes including the $20,000 grand prize. In addition to prizes, the Venture Fair is a great event for the Wharton entrepreneurial community, bringing students together with angel investors, venture capitalists, Wharton alumni, entrepreneurs, and others from the entrepreneurial business community.

Students receive feedback from judges after each phase, which is very helpful for FriarTuck's future plans. Over the past three years, annually the contest has drawn just over 180 student teams comprised of more than 350 participants. Surviving this very competitive environment as one of the 8 finalists reinforces the robustness of FriarTuck's business plan.