The University of the Virgin Islands will kick off its second 13D Entrepreneurship
Competition for students at an information session at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct.
18. Another $60,000 in prize money will go to student teams that come up with the
top three business plans.
All UVI students are welcome to participate, according to Dr. Glen Metts, a professor
in UVI's School of Business who is organizing the program. UVI student teams on both
St. Thomas and St. Croix are eligible to participate. The prizes for first, second
and third place in the competition are $30,000, $20,000 and $10,000, respectively.
Dr. Metts pointed out that a wide variety of opportunities for start-up businesses
exists in the Virgin Islands. He said that not just business students should enter
the competition. He said students majoring in any discipline - marine science, nursing,
math and information technology - should be exploring the possibilities. "No matter
what school or college you are in, there are opportunities for entrepreneurs in the
V.I.," Metts said.
The kick-off meeting will feature a presentation by one of last year's winners, Patricia
Rogers, who took the top prize of $30,000 to help fund her idea for Virgin Fresh Egg
Farm. All UVI students who are present for the meeting will have the opportunity to
sign up for this year's competition.
The meeting will take place, via videoconference, in the first-floor conference room
of the Administration and Conference Center on the St. Thomas campus, and in Room
102 of the North West Wing on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.
Funding for the competition is provided by a $5 million gift to UVI from investment
strategist and entrepreneur Kiril Sokoloff, the founder of 13D Research, which is
based on St. Croix. Four UVI students were awarded a total of $60,000 to support their
start-up business ideas in the inaugural 13D Competition. A total of 72 UVI students
in 21 teams participated.
Details are available from UVI business professor Dr. Glenn Metts by calling (340)
693-1303 or sending email to gmetts@uvi.edu.
