From American Entrepreneurship
For the first three years of its existence, the Rider University Idea/Business Concept Competition was a local affair, an opportunity for New Jersey high schoolers to showcase their entrepreneurial aspirations for the prize of a few thousand dollars, a plaque, and a trophy for their school.
For its fourth go-round, however, Rider’s Center for Entrepreneurial Studies decided to up the ante.
For the first three years of its existence, the Rider University Idea/Business Concept Competition was a local affair, an opportunity for New Jersey high schoolers to showcase their entrepreneurial aspirations for the prize of a few thousand dollars, a plaque, and a trophy for their school.
For its fourth go-round, however, Rider’s Center for Entrepreneurial Studies decided to up the ante.
The school approached entrepreneur Norm Brodsky, a famous Rider alum, who started eight businesses and authored two books on entrepreneurship. The plan was to convince Brodsky to back the competition with funds to offer a heftier prize for its winner: a $10,000 renewable scholarship to attend Rider University.
“No”, was Brodsky’s direct reply. Then after what seemed like an interminable pause, he said, “That’s not enough.”
“He insisted it be a full scholarship for all four years because he wants the name of Rider to get out into the world,” said Dr. Lee Zane, an entrepreneur and professor at the school.
With a more enticing prize, hopefully the word would spread to potential entrants and, even better, future students.
As a result, the competition was named for Norm Brodsky and it grew quickly. This year’s competition had well over 200 entries from 50 high schools, with applications coming in from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Connecticut, and as far away as California and Canada. The number of applications more than doubled last year’s total, while the number of schools quadrupled last year’s count.
Read more here.
“No”, was Brodsky’s direct reply. Then after what seemed like an interminable pause, he said, “That’s not enough.”
“He insisted it be a full scholarship for all four years because he wants the name of Rider to get out into the world,” said Dr. Lee Zane, an entrepreneur and professor at the school.
With a more enticing prize, hopefully the word would spread to potential entrants and, even better, future students.
As a result, the competition was named for Norm Brodsky and it grew quickly. This year’s competition had well over 200 entries from 50 high schools, with applications coming in from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Connecticut, and as far away as California and Canada. The number of applications more than doubled last year’s total, while the number of schools quadrupled last year’s count.
Read more here.
