Step

1

Attend one of six identical orientation sessions.

Details

Step

2

Enter the competition by submitting an investor fact sheet, application, credit report on owners, and the $295 entry fee no later than Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 5:00 PM.

Step

3

Attend six workshops that will lead you through the i.d.e.a.WF and business planning process.

Details

Step

4

Submit your business plan draft for feedback, no later than Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 5:00 PM.

Step

5

Receive feedback from Dillard College of Business Administration at MSU Texas to refine your business plan.

Step

6

Submit your final business plan no later than Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 5:00 PM.

Step

7

Attend the “How to Pitch a Plan to Investors” workshop.

Details

Step

8

Develop and perfect your pitch.

Step

9

Make your pitch!

Step

10

Attend the awards ceremony Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

About i.d.e.a. wf

Since its inception in 2010, i.d.e.a.WF has awarded more than $750,000 in cash and prizes to 37 different winners. The majority of these small businesses are still operating in the Wichita Falls area, employing local people, and bringing revenue to our community. Previous winners credit i.d.e.a.WF for much of their success and some acknowledge that without the program their business would not have opened.
Participants in i.d.e.a.WF will be led through the business planning and startup or expansion processes. Six orientation sessions, as well a series of six unique seminars will teach entrepreneurs exactly what they need to do to plan their business, conduct market research, make sales and financial forecasts, market their companies, pitch to investors, keep accurate business records and understand those records. i.d.e.a.WF is funded in part by the Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation and overseen by the Lalani Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise, which is located in the Dillard College of Business Administration at MSU Texas. The purpose of i.d.e.a.WF is to stimulate the local economy by providing funding and other resources to entrepreneurs in Wichita Falls. Winners can use their funds to open new businesses or expand existing businesses.

Benefits

In addition, participants will be offered free and confidential business consulting services and access to research databases that will empower them to make better decisions for their businesses. Participants should ideally treat i.d.e.a.WF as a six-month commitment and an investment that will enable them to work on their businesses rather than working in their businesses.

Orientations

re-scheduled dates coming soon

Location: Dillard College of Business Administration at MSU Texas.

Feb

6

Tue

Date

TBD

Orientation 1

Room 131
5:30 – 7:00 PM

Feb

8

Thu

Date

TBD

Orientation 2

Room 131
5:30 – 7:00 PM

Feb

10

Sat

Date

TBD

Orientation 3

Room 131
10:30 AM – Noon

Feb

13

Tue

Date

TBD

Orientation 4

Room 131
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Feb

20

Tue

Date

TBD

Orientation 5

Room 131
5:30 – 7:00 PM

Feb

22

Thu

Date

TBD

Orientation 6

Room 131
5:30 – 7:00 PM

Workshops

re-scheduled dates coming soon

Location: Dillard College of Business Administration at MSU Texas.

Mar

19

Tue

Date

TBD

Business Planning

Room 131
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Mar

26

Tue

Date

TBD

Financial Statements

Room 131
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Apr

2

Tue

Date

TBD

Market Research

Room 131
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Apr

9

Tue

Date

TBD

Sales Forecasting

Room 131
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Apr

16

Tue

Date

TBD

Pro-Forma Statements

Room 131
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Apr

23

Tue

Date

TBD

Guerilla Marketing

Room 131
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Sep

10

Tue

Date

TBD

How to Pitch a Plan

Room 189
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Oct

4

Fri

Date

TBD

Finalists's Pitches

Room 189
9:00 AM - Noon

Judging

Mar

8

Fri

Date

TBD

Semi-Finalists announced

Sep

6

Fri

Date

TBD

Finalists Announced

Oct

23

Wed

Date

TBD

Winners Announced

CSC, Comanche
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Judges

Businesses will be selected to advance at each round by an independent panel of five judges. The judges will consist of the following:

• Dr. DeAndrea Davis,  Director of the Lalani Center for Entrepreneurship & Free Enterprise and Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship. 

• Mr. Salvatore (Sal) DiGennaro, Corporate Compliance Officer of United Regional Health Care System.

• Mr. Travis Haggard, Executive Director for the Burkburnett Development Corporation

• Mr. David Toogood, the President and CEO of Work Services Corporation

• Ms. Ivonne Wineinger, Co-founded of The Burn Shop and winner of i.d.e.a.WF 2018. Currently, she is involved in the startup of Ercon Recycling, a recycled metals transloading company.


These judges, will be volunteering their time and expertise to i.d.e.a.WF. They have a broad range of experience and will thus be capable of evaluating firms from any industry.

Contact

Jeannie Hilbers
i.d.e.a. WF Coordinator
Dillard College of Business Administration

MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY
3410 Taft Boulevard
Wichita Falls, TX 76308

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