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MARQUETTE -- Future entrepreneurs filled the NMU Student Center today, all vying for a shot at winning a business competition that could turn their ideas into reality.

The winner of NMU's fifth annual Business Venture Competition could win up to $10,000 in cash prizes, giving them a kick-start to their budding business.

Thirty teams entered business proposals in October, and now, the five finalists are duking it out for the win.

Each group spent the afternoon promoting their new business through a trade fair that displayed their idea, then a sixty second pitch to the judges.

"I think all of us have great ideas. Some are better than others, and until we vet them, and put them through a business plan and receive the feedback, we're kind of not sure where it might take us. So, this is a terrific opportunity for students to take an idea and run with it," Assistant Dean of NMU's College of Business, Rob Lion said.

Some students even went as far as coming up with their own personalized packaging and free samples.

All six of the judges are entrepreneurs from U.P. businesses, and some even came as far as Minnesota and Virginia.

"It's kind of gratifying to see the university has branched out into that area to encourage a different way of thinking about things. It's just not getting people set up for corporate America jobs, but thinking outside the box, taking responsibility for themselves, and wanting to manage other people and create jobs," Competition judge Mark Kolesar said.

Any NMU student is encouraged to enter for next year's competition.