
Judging Criteria
Judges for the CSUF Startup Competition will score your Application, found here and due by March 16, based on:
- The research and analysis evident from the concept description.
- The quality of your team's analysis of the strategic elements of your business concept.
- The effectiveness of the team's communication of the business opportunity.
- The extent to which your business opportunity, as presented, is both attractive and realistic.
More information is available at the Boot Camp section of this website. (The Boot Camps were held under a previous iteration of this competition but the lessons learned from these seminars are still valid for the CSUF Startup Competition.)
Each business will be evaluated and scored by at least three judges. Judges will be drawn from the Orange County entrepreneurial community, and will include entrepreneurs, investors, and CSUF alumni – all skilled in analyzing business opportunities and evaluating business plans.
Judges
Karl Freels
Black Family Foundation
Karl Freels is one of the leaders of the Black Family Foundation. Their mission is to support student-entrepreneurs in their endeavors and challenge them to become the leaders that the world economy needs for the rest of the 21st Century and beyond.
A. Cathleen Greiner, PhD
Deputy Sector Navigator, Business and Entrepreneurship, Orange County
Dr. Cathleen Greiner is the Deputy Sector Navigator for Business and Entrepreneurship, Orange County, California Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO), Workforce and Economic Development Division, serving all nine community colleges in the region. A long-time educator, business dean and small-business owner, she bridges education and business, focusing on network building, workforce development for students across disciplines, and preparing students and business owners to success in a disruptive economy. A key emphasis is on aligning with K12, CCC and CSU/UC initiatives and collaborating with employers, area chambers and community partners to assist students gain experience and employers find prepared workers.
Ken Guchereau
Owner, Guchereau Company
Ken Guchereau was one of the earliest supporters of CSUF Entrepreneurship and has been stalwart ever since. Ken is an entrepreneur with a passion for supporting the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders.
Michael Sawitz
Chief Enthusiasm Officer, Fast.Start studio
I am:
A serial entrepreneur.
An investor
An educator (specializing is Lean Startup)
A mentor
A communicator. (Many speeches and a podcast: www.FastStartTalk.Podbean.com )
Giver, I am on several non-profit board of directors
Golfer, I am ready to tee off when you are.
Grandfather, 3 awesome grand kids
Father, 2 terrific children primarily due to their mother
Husband of 47 years
Barry Lieberman
Marketing Leadership and Operations Executive
Barry is an active entrepreneur. He is currently guiding the go to market strategies for two companies. The first a food tech organization and the other a cause-based organization focused on relieving the financial burden of cancer treatment.
As a go to market & business growth specialist, he is focused on the strategy, planning and execution of market & customer facing activities that increase revenue, market demand and customer satisfaction.