The winners of the European Business Plan of the Year Competition (EBPYC) have been announced. Cranfield School of Management hosted the event on 25-26 June. The prestigious competition saw teams of students from Europe’s leading business schools presenting to a panel of entrepreneurial experts and investors.
The competition was jointly created by INSEAD and London Business School in 1993 to encourage the teaching of entrepreneurship and the creation of new ventures. After ten editions, it became an independent foundation jointly owned by the participating business schools. For the first time in the competition’s 28-year history, the event was held virtually.
Ten business schools from across Europe entered the competition with each school selecting one business plan for a new business, prepared by current MBA or MSc students and then presented to panels of investors.
This year’s winners were:
- First place – IESE.
- Second place – INSEAD.
- Third place – Cranfield.
- Sustainability Prize – LBS.
- Best Elevator pitch – Cranfield.
Dr Stephanie Hussels, Director of the Bettany Centre for Entrepreneurship at Cranfield School of Management, said: “We are honoured to have hosted the European Business Plan of the Year Competition and the first virtual event in its history.
“We assembled an all-star panel of investors to assess the student’s business acumen and their entrepreneurial skills. It was a fantastic occasion, where some of the most talented business students from across Europe tested themselves out against their peers and in front of leading entrepreneurial experts.”
Professor Rickie Moore, Director of the MSc in Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship of Emlyon Business School, and member of the EBPYC Foundation Board, noted “We were excited and committed to support the initiative at it was an opportunity to help teams practise important skills while accelerating their entrepreneurial journeys”.
David Pozas, from IESE’s winning team ‘FLAVA Hard Seltzer’, said: “The EBPYC was a great experience for the FLAVA team. Our company, our baby, was put to the test in front of seasoned investors that have a very good eye for businesses. On top of that, the competition that we faced was amazing; the rest of the teams had very good ideas and presented in an exceptional manner.
“This makes us even happier winning the competition, because it means that the potential for FLAVA Hard Seltzer is being recognised by professionals. Huge thanks to Cranfield and everyone involved in the organisation for the smooth and flawless execution."
