The University of South Alabama Office of Technology Transfer will host the finals of the annual Alabama Launchpad Business Plan Competition on Friday, April 15 at the USA Library Auditorium on the main campus from 8 a.m. to noon.

After an intensive statewide competition, the final eight companies will present their business plans to judges as the businesses compete for $175,000 in seed capital. The first prize award is $100,000; the second-place award is $50,000 and third-place wins $25,000.

The business teams, which include graduate students and faculty from institutions across the state, will have a chance to network with other industry leaders and economic development officials at the contest.

Last year, USA Mitchell Cancer Institute-affiliated Swift Biotechnology won the second-place finish for its screening tool for endometrial and ovarian cancers. It was the first time a USA-affiliated company had won a prize in the competition.

This year, Hurri Pier & Dock System, a USA company, is in the finals.

For more information about the April 15 event, which is open to the public, call the Office of Technology Transfer at (251) 460-6479. For more information about the finals and for a brief description of the nine startup companies competing, please click this link: http://www.alabamalaunchpad.com/2011-finale-info.html.