Thank You to Our Sponsors

Comcast Business Class
Comcast Corporation is the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services. With 24.2 million cable customers, 11.5 million high-speed Internet customers, and 2.5 million voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.

Comcast’s content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, AZN Television, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One , four regional Comcast SportsNets and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast's Internet business . Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia

Comcast’s Three Rivers Region serves 850,000 customers in four states, including Southwestern Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, Northern West Virginia and Garrett County, Maryland. The region employs approximately 2,400 professionals and has been recognized by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as one of the best top ten large companies to work and by the Pittsburgh Business Times for two consecutive years as one of the “50 Best Places to Work in Western Pennsylvania.

Idea Foundry
Idea Foundry supplies the critical ingredients to transform an entrepreneur's business idea into a fundable startup. They bridge the gap of business skills, knowledge, funding and relationships by providing: Skills and knowledge- experienced mentors, a structured process and tools to help develop your business model. Funding - financial support to pay the bills while you concentrate on building your startup and access to capital to take you to the next level. Relationships - a network of technical, commercial and financial resources to assist you now and in the future.

Innovation Works
Innovation Works (IW) strives to increase the success rate of the region’s technology companies by providing business expertise, direct investment and hands-on support. As part of a collaborative network of organizations, including angel networks, venture capitalists, foundations, and public agencies, IW is working to create a vibrant community of innovative companies in southwestern Pennsylvania that will enable our region to succeed in the global economy. To carry out its mission and vision, IW provides a variety of programs and services for stakeholders in the region, including the Innovation Investment Fund, Innovation Adoption Grant, and University Adoption Grant.

KFMR Katz Ferraro McMurtry, P.C.
Since 1989, KFMR Katz Ferraro McMurtry, P.C. has worked with technology, life science, and early-stage companies in providing accounting, tax and consulting services from start-up through growth. In fact, KFMR worked with the first technology transfer company from CMU from its inception in 1989 until it was sold in 1994. Through our experience, we have learned that as much as these companies share common opportunities and challenges, they are equally distinct with their own unique characteristics - making it difficult, if not impossible, to compare or benchmark companies with one another. As a result of our work with numerous early-stage companies, we’ve experienced and mastered the common matters, while having the vision and prowess to navigate the uncharted waters, seeing companies through to the profitable stage and beyond.

With a seasoned, highly credentialed and diversified talent base, we are able to provide a broad scope of services such as audit and accounting services; budgeting, forecasts and projections; due diligence; strategic tax planning and compliance services; strategic business planning; accounting software systems; assistance with debt and equity financing; financial system design and implementation; business valuation services; general business consulting; transaction advisory services; and CFO/Controller services.

In addition to our knowledge, ability and resources, our clients know us for the responsiveness and care we demonstrate – not just in the engagements that we perform – but in the relationships which we establish. Our objective is to learn and understand the issues that affect your business so that we can assist with your needs as well as look beyond the books to help you improve your overall business and financial position. 

Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse
The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG) provides capital investments and customized company formation and business growth services to our region’s life sciences enterprises. We support biosciences companies with promising innovations in the following concentrations: Biotechnology Tools, Diagnostics, Healthcare IT, Medical Devices, and Therapeutics.

R.P. Simmons Family Foundation
Established in 1987, the R.P. Simmons Family Foundation primarily supports arts organizations and education in southwestern Pennsylvania. The foundation recently has provided funding to the Pittsburgh Symphony Society, Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Community Center, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Sewickley Academy, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Gettysburg National Battlefield Museum Foundation and Pittsburgh Public Theater.


For more information on the 2008 EnterPrize Business Plan Competition, please contact Melissa Ungar, Director, Entrepreneurial Programs, at 412.918.4292.