News in Brief: Haas Business School Hosts Competition

A business competition launched Monday by MBA candidates in the Haas Business School offers UC Berkeley students and alumni a chance to attract investors and win cash prizes.

The second annual competition allows teams containing at least one UC Berkeley student or alumnus to formulate and present a business plan to a panel of judges composed of influential investors from Silicon Valley.

Winning teams will receive cash prizes varying in amounts from $5,000-$50,000 along with valuable exposure to the world of start-up money and services, said Nick Sturiale, former CEO of Timbre Technology, last year's winner.

Sturiale said Timbre Technology, a company offering software services to semiconductor manufacturers, would not have acquired as much visibility without the boost from the business competition.

"It puts you on the map," Sturiale said. "The competition opened (the business) world for us."

Exposure from the competition led to Timbre Technology receiving $600,000 in seed money, Sturiale said.

He said the competition sparked an "upward spiral" where one opportunity resulted in many more.

For more established companies, the business plan competition offers additional opportunities for attention.

The world's first online real estate brokerage company, ZipRealty.com, was already well-financed by venture-capital firms before it was chosen as a finalist in last year's business competition.

Juan Mini, a co-founder of the company, said the competition gave his company credibility and exposure.

Steve Domenik, a partner at Sevin Rosen Funds, a top investment firm in the Silicon Valley, said he originally brought the idea of a business plan competition to the Haas School of Business. He later discovered that two MBA students were already attempting to organize such a competition.

Domenik, a UC Berkeley alumnus, encouraged his firm and others to assist the students, and last year's event has been hailed as a great success.

According to Domenik, Silicon Valley investors funded at least 10 of last year's participants.

For many of the teams involved in this year's competition, however, the promise of networking with peers and investors at the semester-long series of workshops may prove to be a greater asset than start-up money.

ZipRealty.com found its technical director in the audience at the competition event. The presenter of the final plan for Timbre Technology was recently hired at Sevin Rosen.

Clinton Regas

Commission Warns Against Blocking Sidewalks

The Commission on Disability has issued a statement reminding Berkeley residents not to block sidewalks with their cars.

Obstructing pathways is punishable by a $30 fine, according to a statement released by the commission. Cars blocking sidewalks are also subject to towing at a cost of $75 to the owner.

Karen Craig, chair of the commission, said in a statement that blocking sidewalks poses a unique problem to the physically disabled.

"Some people will block a sidewalk without thinking," Craig said. "A person using a wheelchair does not have a simple way to get around a car parked on the sidewalk. Finding a way around a vehicle often requires a long retracing of the pedestrian's route."

Sidewalks must also be clear for the blind, Craig added.

"Blind pedestrians can be injured or startled by a sudden blockade of the sidewalk," she said. "They may need to walk in the uncharted territory of planter strips, landscaped yards or onto the street."

Blocked sidewalks also cause pedestrians to walk into the street, where they face speeding cars, Craig said.

Commencement Dates Announced

UC Berkeley officials announced the commencement dates for the class of 2000 this week.

Commencement ceremonies begin May 6 with the health and medical science department and conclude with Asian studies on May 28.

Ceremonies for American studies majors, including majors in cognitive science, interdisciplinary studies, mass communications, environmental science and religious studies will be held on May 19 at 2 p.m. in the Greek Theatre. Anthropology and art history majors will graduate at the same time in Zellerbach Auditorium.

Astronomy, physics and physical science majors will also graduate on May 19 at 7 p.m. in Zellerbach Auditorium.

Students in the international and area studies major group, which includes development studies, Latin American studies, peace and conflict studies, political economy of industrialized societies and Middle Eastern studies, will graduate on May 23 at 2 p.m. in Zellerbach Auditorium.

Engineering students will graduate on May 20 at 9 a.m. in the Greek Theatre.

Molecular and cell biology undergraduates will have their ceremonies on May 21 at 2 p.m. in the Greek Theatre. Commencement for graduate students will be held on May 22 at 1 p.m. in the Zellerbach Playhouse. Political science majors will graduate at the Greek Theatre on May 22 at 2 p.m.

A complete listing of commencement dates and locations can be found on the university's Web site.

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