Thomas Gerszewski a finalist in Warhawk Business Plan Competition

2015 Apr 6

Thomas Gerszewski, a junior entrepreneurship major from Crystal Lake, Ill., is a finalist in the 2015 Warhawk Business Plan Competition.

Known as UW-Whitewater's "Shark Tank," the competition is an opportunity for collegiate entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas to business owners, entrepreneurs, investors and professors.

Gerszewski will pitch the business idea Level-Up Football.

Students will be judged on the market opportunity of their idea, the problem it solves, the solution, the competitive analysis, and the competitive advantage. Students will also be judged on their presentation skills.

"If you have the greatest idea and don't know how to pitch it, no one will buy it," said freshman Sam Lepak, chief marketing officer of Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization (CEO), which sponsors the event.

The judges will be a panel of successful business people who went through this process themselves and later branched out as entrepreneurs.

"UW-Whitewater really values entrepreneurship. This is our heart and soul we've put into this event," said freshman Brandon Fong, president of CEO.

The event is Wednesday, April 8, from 4:30-9 p.m. in the Old Main Ballroom in the James R. Connor University Center.

The winners will not only get recognition, they will also win a cash prize. The first-place finisher receives $4,000, second will receive $2,500, and third will receive $1,500.