Ann Arbor, MI -- On March 24th, 5 teams of start-ups converged in Ann Arbor to pitch everything from a cancer diagnostics device with 99% accuracy to a travel app for students, by students. What was on the line? A grand prize of $10,000, one year free office space at TusStar Ann Arbor, and the opportunity to pitch again to the most influential corporations in China.
Welcome to the TusStar China Business Challenge.
The TusStar China Business Challenge is an annual pitch competition hosted by TusStar Ann Arbor, the China Entrepreneur Network (CEN), and the Michigan China Forum (MCF). Open to start-ups around the country, the goal of the TusStar China Business Challenge is to connect entrepreneurs who wish to make an impact with international capital and resources.
After a rigorous first round of applications, five finalists teams were selected to present on the second day of the 2018 Michigan China Forum. Teams were given 8 minutes to pitch their business plans to a panel of experienced judges before moving into Q&A and judge feedback.
“Compelling, insightful, and rewarding.” That’s how BBA freshman David Hu described his experience working behind the scenes to run the challenge. As an entirely student-run competition, members of the China Entrepreneur Network - University of Michigan chapter and Upround Venture had the opportunity to experience the challenge firsthand as both spectators and behind-the-scenes managers. Hu sums it up best, “During the competition, I felt very inspired and motivated to pursue entrepreneurship. Several of the teams were Michigan students like me, and that thought made me realize that pursuing a business idea is possible. As I talked to members of each team, I discovered that they had their own hardships in creating their company, but wanted to continue due to their passion towards their project. College is definitely the best place to start developing the next big idea.”
Welcome to the TusStar China Business Challenge.
The TusStar China Business Challenge is an annual pitch competition hosted by TusStar Ann Arbor, the China Entrepreneur Network (CEN), and the Michigan China Forum (MCF). Open to start-ups around the country, the goal of the TusStar China Business Challenge is to connect entrepreneurs who wish to make an impact with international capital and resources.
After a rigorous first round of applications, five finalists teams were selected to present on the second day of the 2018 Michigan China Forum. Teams were given 8 minutes to pitch their business plans to a panel of experienced judges before moving into Q&A and judge feedback.
“Compelling, insightful, and rewarding.” That’s how BBA freshman David Hu described his experience working behind the scenes to run the challenge. As an entirely student-run competition, members of the China Entrepreneur Network - University of Michigan chapter and Upround Venture had the opportunity to experience the challenge firsthand as both spectators and behind-the-scenes managers. Hu sums it up best, “During the competition, I felt very inspired and motivated to pursue entrepreneurship. Several of the teams were Michigan students like me, and that thought made me realize that pursuing a business idea is possible. As I talked to members of each team, I discovered that they had their own hardships in creating their company, but wanted to continue due to their passion towards their project. College is definitely the best place to start developing the next big idea.”
Meet Our 2018 Judges!
Our panel of judges included Caroline Fu, MD of Sequoia Capital China, Xueyong Lu, Managing Partner of TUS Fangxin and Founding Partner of FI Capital, Zhiqiang Tai, CEO of Mali Venture Capital, Kunlun Hong, Chairman and CEO of Arbor Lake, and Jingyuan Wang, Founder of Newdo Venture.
Our panel of judges included Caroline Fu, MD of Sequoia Capital China, Xueyong Lu, Managing Partner of TUS Fangxin and Founding Partner of FI Capital, Zhiqiang Tai, CEO of Mali Venture Capital, Kunlun Hong, Chairman and CEO of Arbor Lake, and Jingyuan Wang, Founder of Newdo Venture.
Meet Our 2018 Finalists!
After our keynote speech by Xueyong Lu and a thrilling two hours of pitches, whistleblowing start-up Safewhistle was awarded the grand prize of $10,000, one year of free office space, and the opportunity to pitch again to the most influential corporations in China. Closing remarks as well as the $10,000 check were awarded by Jessica Xie, Vice President of Hylant and Frank Ni, Chief Operations Officer of TusStar Ann Arbor.
Thank you for helping make the TusStar China Business Challenge a success!
We would like to thank our sponsors TusStar Ann Arbor, Upround Venture, the Confucius Institute, BBA Council, Central Student Government, and the Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies for making the TusStar China Business Challenge possible.
We would like to thank our sponsors TusStar Ann Arbor, Upround Venture, the Confucius Institute, BBA Council, Central Student Government, and the Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies for making the TusStar China Business Challenge possible.
