The University of Nevada, Reno's success in the Donald W. Reynolds Governor's  Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition is well-documented.

In 2010, for example, teams from the University swept first and second place in both the graduate and undergraduate divisions of the competition, which features one of the largest cash awards pools in America and is designed to encourage students of Nevada universities and colleges to act upon their ideas and talents in order to produce tomorrow's businesses.

Student teams and their faculty advisors compete each year in undergraduate and graduate divisions for cash prizes of nearly $200,000.

Students involved in the competition gain access to networks of successful entrepreneurs, lenders and investors, team-building opportunities, business planning skills and media exposure.

One of the major goals of the competition is to encourage the development and commercialization of ideas and technologies being discovered at Nevada's universities. Multi-disciplinary teams that combine members from technical disciplines with members from colleges of business are encouraged.

Nevada's Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (NCET) is available to give presentations to classes on the competition, and what it can mean to a student's career.

In-class presentations take approximately 15 minutes and are available days, nights and weekends. Contact Dave Archer, president and CEO, at dave@ncet.org or (775) 315-7635.

Students must register to compete by Feb. 22. Business plans are due March 21.

For more information about the competition, go to the Donald W. Reynolds Governor's  Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition website.