Mentoring Madness

Mentoring Madness offers aspiring entrepreneurs a change to get advice that makes a difference. This year’s panel of experts includes rapper Snoop Dogg, Blake Mycoskie, Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS Shoes; Barry Sternlicht, Chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital; and, Stephen P. Hanson, founder and president of B.R. Guest Restaurants.

The panel will offer advice to a group of university students gathered at the New York Stock Exchange November 16, which will be available for Webcast during Global Entrepreneurship Week events around the world.

The event will also feature three finalists from Movers & Changers, a nationwide business plan competition run by mtvU and NYSE Euronext to uncover creative capitalists who will do create a profitable and sustainable venture that also provides something positive for a community, the country, or the world. These finalists will give their business pitches to the panel, with the top idea awarded $25,000 in startup funds.

To participate in the event, Partners can host their own mentoring event by inviting successful entrepreneurs from their local community to talk with students and incorporate the NYSE Euronext feed of Mentoring Madness.

NYSE Partners with mtvU on 'Movers & Changers'

NYSE Euronext and mtvU, MTV's 24-hour college network, is looking for the next big "Movers & Changers."

A nationwide search has started to discover creative capitalists with promising, original business plans. The challenge: Submit a business plan that will do something positive for a community, the country, or the world, and will also be profitable and sustainable. Three finalists will be flown to New York City to attend Mentoring Madness during Global Entrepreneurship Week and present their plans to a panel of industry executives, including Blake Mycoskie, Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS shoes.

The winner will receive $25,000 in cash to help his or her company start off on the right foot and be featured in the new "Movers & Shakers" short film series on mtvU. And, they'll let you ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange, too.

College students aged 16-28 are welcome to submit business plans individually or in teams of up to three people. Ideas must be creative, original, and scalable to large corporations, in addition to illustrating determination and persistent optimism. Students are encouraged to submit a video "elevator pitch" with their application. Entries accepted through midnight on Oct. 16, 2009. 

Video & Photo Highlights from Mentoring Madness 2008

Last year’s panel of mentors included serial entrepreneur Russell Simmons, Linda McMahon, founder of the WWE, and Peter Thum, founder of Ethos Water.