The need to refine ideas is the basis for business plan competitions held around the country, frequently at colleges and universities. The MIT Enterprise Forum at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is one example. Here, aspiring entrepreneurs present their business plans to a panel of individuals familiar with company startups. The panel generally consists of a venture capitalist, a private investor, a banker, an accountant, and an attorney, among others. These individuals read the business plan and preside at a public forum, where the entrepreneur makes an oral presentation of the plan to an audience of interested individuals. The panel members then, one by one, offer their suggestion for strengthening the proposed venture. Finally, the audience has an opportunity to ask question and make suggestions. The Enterprise Forum has now spread to major cities across the United States and has been a vehicle for thousands of entrepreneurs seeking a review of their plans by someone with expertise. Whether through the Enterprise Forum or a similar group, an entrepreneur should seize opportunities to have others evaluate the idea being put forth the earlier in the process this evaluation takes place, the better.