The Knowledge Mine – Ernst & Young Big Business Idea Competition

The Knowledge Mine (Oman) brings to budding business brains and ventures the E & Y Big Business Idea Competition. If you are reading about this competition now you have like me missed the chance to enter it. The deadline for this years submissions was 2nd Sep 2006. What the winning teams will get is:

• 12 months free rental of a unit in The Knowledge Mine. While rental of the unit will be provided free as part of the prize fund, the running costs associated with the unit (i.e. electricity, water; telecoms; etc.) will be covered by the winner.
• Technical Assistance of 50% of costs of office, equipment and/or other eligible costs related to the set-up of the business subject to a maximum of RO4,000.
• RO2,000 in-kind Internet and mobile services provided by Nawras.
• Up to 6 days consultancy from TKM business advisors, who will formally assist with business planning, financial planning and marketing. A comprehensive business plan covering all aspects of the business will be developed.
• Opportunity to avail of the wide range of other support provided by TKM

What attracted me the most was the confidentiality clause. Even in USA when ever I became involved in a Biz-Plan Competition we were always concerned about the confidentiality. The clause on TKM BBIC reads;
"The organizers, judges and mentors associated with the Big Business Idea Competition are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Both your Business Idea and Business Plan will be treated in the strictest confidence. It is the participant's responsibility to make the organization they are employed by or affiliated with aware of their participation in the Big Business Idea Competition."

So buckle up entrepreneurs and come forward with the assurance that you will be protected by Intellectual Property (IP) Laws.