Merrill Mason Judges UNC’s ‘Launching the Venture’ Program for MBA Students

RALEIGH, N.C. – On Dec. 10, 2012, Smith Anderson partner Merrill Mason served as a judge for the “Launching the Venture” program offered to MBA students by the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School. The four-phased program is intended to help students launch new ventures by providing them with feedback from accomplished business leaders, faculty members and proven entrepreneurs. 

Merrill provided his experienced feedback to 14 venture teams who presented their integrated business models through a round robin circuit. The presentations included the following elements of their business plan: value proposition, business model, marketing and sales, implementation, financials, and financing. The full staff of judges included 30 accomplished professionals from the Research Triangle area. Judges served as mentors and provided the teams with experienced feedback, as well as answers to questions about potential stumbling blocks.

With extensive experience representing technology and life sciences companies, Merrill represents companies at all stages of development with particular emphasis on emerging and entrepreneurial enterprises.