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FAU to Host 2014 Business Plan Competition Final Eight Teams Announced BOCA RATON, Fla. (April 7, 2014) - Florida Atlantic University’s 2014 Business Plan Competition’s final round will take place beginning Wednesday, April 9 through Friday, April 11 at the College of Business, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton campus. The competition provides an opportunity for participants to compete and test their business ideas. More than 250 teams have registered for the competition, with 16 teams advancing to the final round of events and more than 750 guests are anticipated to attend. The participants will compete for a share of more than $225,000 in cash and prizes. Festivities commence with the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) Investor Panel on Wednesday, April 9 from 4 to 7 p.m., in the Live Oak Pavilion of FAU’s Student Union. The panel features students in grades seven to 12, who developed legitimate businesses and pitch to investors for seed funding. The kick-off reception and elevator pitch event is scheduled for Thursday, April 10 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in FAU Stadium, where competitors will present their 90-second elevator pitch. Reception guests have the opportunity to cast their vote for the People’s Choice winner, sponsored by Office Depot. Business plan presentations from the FAU student and entrepreneur tracks are scheduled for Friday, April 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in room BU 120 in the College of Business, and room OD 101 in FAU’s Office Depot Center. Competition finalists will present to the final round judges, who are comprised of venture capital principals, early-stage angel investors, successful entrepreneurs and senior business leaders. The final eight teams competing in the FAU Student Track are: Ozaro; Slay the Gray; Go2Night; Camino Palacios; Heavenly Dog Treats and People Too; Lolina (formerly Le Nouv); HonorLock; and BedaBox. The final eight teams competing in the Entrepreneur Track are: Stand4; Offsite Expert Accountants; Fresh Start Beverage Company; Social Student Lending; The Bespoke Group; Biologics Direct; Care Capture Inc.; and Modulux Lighting. The top three finalists of each track will win cash and prizes to successfully launch their idea. The three-day event culminates with keynote speaker Tim Gannon, co-founder of Outback Steakhouse Inc. and chief executive officer of PDQ Palm Beach, on Friday, April 11 from 2 to 3 p.m. in room BU 120 in FAU’s College of Business. Gannon exemplifies entrepreneurial success and shares his inspirational story. The Research Park at Florida Atlantic University is the event’s presenting sponsor. All events are open to students, faculty, staff and public. For more information, contact Maggie Kelly at 561-297-0927 or mkelly42@fau.edu.