With several teams of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute undergraduate and graduate students vying for the top prize in the upcoming Rensselaer Business Plan Competition, the Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship in the Lally School of Management and Technology and the Albany-based Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) are collaborating to connect Rensselaer students with local, highly successful entrepreneurs.

Through this partnership, students who will be participating in the business plan competition are connected to an Entrepreneurship Organization Forum, a unique member-driven experience that brings together a group of eight to 12 entrepreneurs for peer-to-peer learning and support. The forum also provides entrepreneurs with the ability to tap into a small group of fellow business owners who can offer them direction based on their diverse experiences.

“The Severino Center offers many programs for Rensselaer students interested in learning about and experiencing entrepreneurship,” said Gina O’Connor, associate dean and professor at the Rensselaer Lally School and director of the Severino Center. “We see this collaboration with the Entrepreneurs’ Organization as another exciting way our students can get good feedback, learn, and network from the growing entrepreneur community we have right here in the Capital Region.”

In addition, Rensselaer students will be able to build out their networks, gaining support of their ventures from the very beginning. The goal of the Entrepreneur’s Organization is to provide access to the local business community for students who may be unaware of the strong network that exists in the Capital Region.

“With access to EO, students will be able to build their entrepreneurial communities and also gain eligibility to participate in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) competition,” said EO Albany President Dave Vener. “GSEA is the premier EO award for undergraduate students who own and run businesses while attending school.”

The Rensselaer Business Plan competition is scheduled to take place Feb. 26-27 on the Rensselaer campus. The annual competition provides students with an opportunity to showcase their entrepreneurial skills and knowledge for a chance to win cash and in-kind prizes valued at more than $15,000. For more information, visit: http://www.lallyschool.rpi.edu/