Sustainable Energy Wins
A Business Plan Competition for GVSU Students
The clean energy sector is booming in Michigan, and yet, there are numerous gaps, even "market failures," where the right business solution could be the next big thing in this industry.
Around West Michigan are opportunities for more clean, efficient, renewable, resilient energy solutions. We call these SUSTAINABLE ENERGY WINS!
Got an idea? Get a team together. Join our business case competition and possibly win prize money, gain recognition at GVSU and in the industry, and work with expert mentors in this field.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
1. Register by October 18, 2024!
2. Sign up for email and text updates
Sign Up!
REQUIREMENTS
1. Need to be a current GVSU student
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TOPICS
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY WINS can be
- renewable energy
- energy efficiency
- electrifying transportation
- improving water usage and waste management
- among others
PRIZES
First Prize....................................................$5,000
Second Prize...............................................$3,000
Third Prize...................................................$1,000
Winning teams will also receive recognition in GVSU online platforms, local media, and opportunities for mentorship and collaboration with industry experts.
Steps of Competition
1. REGISTRATION
Now - October 18, 2024, 5 PM
Sign up and receive important competition updates including rules, events, deliverables, and deadlines.
Register now
2. ASSEMBLE YOUR TEAM
Now - November 19, 2024
Form a team of one or more people, all GVSU students or recent graduates. Register each team member by October 18, 2024, and submit your teams name and members by November 19, 2024. Submit team members to: Valerie Palmer at [email protected]
3. BUSINESS CASE WORKSHOP
Friday, November 22, 2024 | 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Seidman College of Business (SCB 4002, 4th Floor Boardroom)
In-person attendance is strongly encouraged. This workshop will help GVSU students understand the basics of a business case, covering elements like innovation, impact, and the 'triple bottom line' of sustainability. We’ll also discuss feasibility, financial modeling, and market opportunity. You'll develop your idea within a standard business framework, which applies to many kinds of persuasive thinking, including grant applications and developing a thesis topic or proof points for your GVSU classes.
4. MEET THE MENTORS
October 21, 2024 - January 20, 2025
Access key insights from leading experts in the energy industry. Updates on who the mentors are and how to interact with them will be provided soon.
5. REFINE YOUR IDEA
November 20 & 22, 2024
Meet with competition leaders Michael DeWilde and John Kinch to refine your Sustainable Energy Wins idea during a 20-minute in-person session.
6. DEVELOP YOUR IDEA INTO A BUSINESS CASE AND PRESENTATION
December 2024 - February 2025
Collaborate with your team and mentors to research and assemble your business case. You'll also have opportunities to learn more about the clean energy sector through webinars, lectures, and area events.
7. FINAL PRESENTATION & BUSINESS CASE SUBMISSION
February 19, 2025 Final Business Case Submission to judges.
February 28, 2025 In-person presentation before a panel of judges. A Shark-Tank style event where teams will have five PowerPoint slides and seven minutes to make their pitch for their sustainable energy business solution, followed by questions from the judges. Winners will be chosen and announced at the event.
FAQ's
How do I register?
The final day to register will be Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 5:00pm.
How big of a team can we have?
- There is no limit to the number of team members (Individuals or groups are welcome) There is likely an upper limit of having too many on team for functionality, but that is up to you.
- Team members need to be GVSU students or recent graduates (within the last year).
- ALL majors acceptable
- Each of your team members needs to register. We will ask you later to identify your team members by November.
How many ideas/business plans can a team present?
You can have up to two ideas. Each of which will require other competition deliverables such as a “pitch” in a pitch contest and a business plan.
We will have an in-person workshop on "How to Make a Business Case/Plan" workshop on Friday, October 25, 2024 in SCB 4002 (4th Floor Boardroom) from 12:00-1:30pm.
What is the "triple bottom line" of "sustainability"?
You will want to become familiar with notions like the triple bottom line and socially responsible businesses: https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/what-is-the-triple-bottom-line and https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/
Also reports on climate change like the IPCC: https://www.ipcc.ch/2024/03/21/
We’ll have a growing list of resources here on the project website, so check back often for new content.
How do we interact with the mentors and experts?
John Kinch and other mentors and experts will be available between now and February to answer questions and look at the development of your project. Please take advantage of their willingness to meet with you.
We will provide more details soon as to whom the mentors and experts are and how you can access them.
Key Deliverables and Deadlines
Your Idea(s) to be presented to Michael DeWilde and John Kinch on November 20 and 22, 2024.
Your final presentation will be on February 28, 2025. You have 20 minutes for your business case, including a PowerPoint or other media presentation, if you choose. Judges will also spend a few minutes to ask you questions.
The judges will be an independent panel of energy and sustainability experts. Neither Professor DeWilde nor Dr. Kinch will be judges.
Prize money will be distributed shortly after the winners are determined.
Academic Integrity Standards and ChatGPT
As with your regular GVSU coursework, the university’s academic integrity standards apply to this competition.
You may use ChatGPT and other sources, including our experts, to generate ideas and for research purposes. But please don't use it to write the proposal.
What makes for a winning idea/plan?
- PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY : Clarity in stating what is at issue. (15 points)
- INNOVATION: Addressing what has been done and what is being proposed (25 points)
- FEASBILITY: Is what is being proposed doable? Reasonable? (15 points)
- FINANCIALS: What will it cost? What might it generate? (15 points)
- LOCAL/REGIONAL TRIPLEBOTTOM BENEFITS: Consideration of the impact (30 points)
Got a question we're not asking and answering here?
Email us at [email protected] and will include it in the FAQ. Thank you.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY WINS is being led by:
Michael DeWilde
Koeze Business Ethics Institute, Director
Professor of Management
John Kinch, PhD.
Michigan Energy Operations, Executive Director
Valerie Palmer
Office Coordinator
Koeze Business Ethics Initiative