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Leading early-stage venture capital firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ) and Cisco today announced that each company will utilize its extensive global reach to jointly launch a global business plan competition for students aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The competition will rely on Cisco TelePresenceTM, which enables collaboration through a live, face-to-face network communications experience, to allow finalists from around the world to present their business plans in real time to a joint panel of DFJ and Cisco executives based in San Jose.

This is the first time the competition is aimed at a global market, a milestone made possible by both DFJ’s Global Network and Cisco TelePresence. Cisco TelePresence helps break down the barriers of distance by creating a collaborative experience where participants feel as though they are sitting in the same room even though they may be located thousands of miles apart. The competition seeks to find new technology-oriented ideas from aspiring college and university student entrepreneurs around the world. Sixteen finalists will be announced on June 19, 2009. The winner, who will be announced on June 30, 2009, will receive a minimum of $250,000 seed money. The winner will also receive professional feedback and mentorship from both DFJ and Cisco.

To read the full, original article click on this link: Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Cisco to Hold Global Business Plan Competition | The Lost Ring

Author: furai86