Kickstart a Startup While in College: Collegiate Entrepreneurship

Starting a business while in college is a smart decision even if you're not the next Mark Zuckerberg with a brilliant idea like Facebook. College students around the country and around the world have made successful businesses out of simple ideas and with a low amount of startup capital. A dorm room, computer, Internet connection, hard work ethic, a solid idea, and passion are often all you need to create a business worth pursuing while studying at a university. The following are reasons that you should start a business, no matter how small or big, while in college and not wait until you graduate.

Compete in Business Competitions
Competing in business competitions can earn you startup capital to grow and expand your business. Aside from the financial benefits, you receive free exposure and can network during the competitions. Many students have made business deals after meeting an angel investor or venture capitalist at an elevator pitch or business plan competition. The National Elevator Pitch Competition is Hosted by CEO, the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization, and is open to all college students in North America.

Use College Resources
University professors are some of the greatest contacts you could have for starting a business. These instructors attend many conferences and are required to conduct research which often leads to making many contacts and making many valuable connections. Use your professor's knowledge and contacts to help start your business and to get you pointed in the right direction when needing to conduct your own research.

Conducting Research is Much Easier
Companies and working professionals are often too busy to answer questions from potential competitors trying to get into the market. Using your student label to get information is a great way to gain extra help. Be honest in simply explaining that you are a college student doing research, and you will be surprised to see how willing people are to help and how much you can learn just by reaching out and asking.

Media
Schools love highlighting productive students who have the chance to make a bigger name for their college or university. You have a great opportunity to get free publicity in the school paper or newsletter, school website, local newspaper, and more. Business organizations, like the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization mentioned earlier, also highlight their member's businesses in newsletters and online.

Stop talking about an idea and get busy. There is no better time than now to make your dream a reality. Start researching and planning now, and don't forget to write a business plan to keep you focused and to uncover strengths and weaknesses in your potential business.