Wichita State University's Shocker New Venture Competition (SNVC) is under way, hosted by the Center for Entrepreneurship at the Frank Barton School of Business.

Intent-to-complete forms were submitted by 77 teams, with more than 120 participants from across the state, prior to the Feb. 27 deadline. Those teams have until Friday, March 6, to provide a synopsis of their business concept in a two-page summary. Judges will select 32 of those teams to advance in the competition.

“This competition offers a rich experience for students they can’t find anywhere else in the state,” said Mark Torline, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship. “Competitors have the opportunity to win seed money and also make key business contacts.”

The SNVC and its partners will award more than $30,000 in start-up capital to aid competitors in the launch of their new ventures. Sponsors of this year’s competition include Mitchell Richards, Intrust Bank, Foulston Siefkin, 360ideas, Delta Dental, Jabara Ventures, NetWork Kansas, Riverside Health Foundation, KWCH Interactive and Scholfield Honda.

A trade show will take place on Friday, April 24, at Charles Koch Arena, where teams are encouraged to set up displays and pitch their business concepts to more than 150 business leaders. The six teams with the most “investments” by the judges will advance to the final round on May 1.

To learn more about the competition go to wichita.edu/SNVC.