On February 22, 2025, Entrepreneurship 201 students at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) gathered at the 24-hour e-Library to compete in a business plan presentation competition.
The event, organized by the AUN School of Business and Entrepreneurship, aimed to evaluate the viability of student-led business proposals and provide funding through the AUN Seed Capital initiative.
Grouped into eight teams, students presented diverse and innovative business ideas, including: The Underground, a vibrant game room; Campus Mart, a retail provision store; Quickshop, a campus convenience store; Nesma Café and Print, a printing and café service; Stallion Mart, a retail provision store; The Provision Shop, a convenience store; Candy Shop, a candy retail store and Mallam Audu, an eatery.
Each group outlined their market research, financial projections, and implementation strategies, demonstrating how they would utilize the capital to sustain their ventures for the semester.
A panel of faculty judges evaluated the presentations based on feasibility, innovation, financial planning, and market demand. After deliberation, four teams - The Underground, Campus Mart, Quickshop, and Nesma Café and Print - were selected for funding while the remaining teams merged with the approved ventures.
According to Prof. Haruna Isa Mohammad, the exercise prepares students for real-world entrepreneurship, instilling financial accountability and teamwork. Students reflected on the experience as a valuable learning opportunity, refining their business skills through research, teamwork, and pitching.
Students reflected on the experience as a valuable learning opportunity. “This competition allowed us to refine our business skills through research, teamwork, and pitching,” said Akachukwu Madueke, a Communication and Multimedia Design major.
Aisha Ahmad, a Law major, added, “Each team presented their ideas clearly and received constructive feedback from the judges.”
The winners were officially announced on February 25, 2025. With funding secured, the selected businesses will now implement their plans, aiming to generate profits while managing their capital responsibly. The Entrepreneurship 201 course continues as a hands-on learning experience, equipping students with practical skills for future business ventures.
Reported by Tirzah Phillips
Work-study, Marketing & Communications Department