Start-ups+and+Venture+Capital

In this BusinessWeek video students from [|Columbia Business School] compete for venture capital by presenting their business plans.


 * Before you watch**

__Activity 1__ Read the following questions:

1) What is an elevator pitch? How was Michael Dwork's different from those of the other students? 2) What questions did Dwork answer in teh second phase of the competition? 3) The venture capitalist Dan Burstein says "A lot of entrepreneurs make the mistake of eyeballing". What does he mean?


 * As you watch**

__Activity 2__ As you watch complete the following sentences with the missing words (pause the video if necessary):

1) For the past 9 months, he's spent much of his time (a) .................. his business strategy and (b) .................. his product.

2) Greenware is a completely (c) .................. item, chemically free and (d) .................., that will replace all of your plastic plates, cups and bowls.

3) His detailed, yet (e) .................. pitch and knowledge of the marketplace (f) .................. judges.

4) After moving on to the second phase of the competition, Dwork tried to (g) .................. all of the questions of the (h) .................. investors.

media type="custom" key="185945"
 * After you watch**

__Activity 3__ 1) Send you answers for Activity 1 to your tutor by email. 2) Check your answers for Activity 2 here. 3) What do you think of this competition? Would you like to participate in something similar? Why?/Why not? Post your comments using the discussion tab above.

Return to Accounting & Finance