Atlanta Entrepreneur Brings Business to Reality

PRNewswire -- The Next Tycoon is a new reality show that will give entrepreneurs from all ages and backgrounds a chance to present their business ideas to key decision makers and outstanding business and media leaders. The show will be a valuable educational resource as well as a fun opportunity for all participants to share and discuss new, exciting business plans.

The Next Tycoon is the brainchild of one of Atlanta's leading entrepreneurs, W. Cliff Oxford. Oxford, who endows the executive MBA program at Emory University's Goizueta Business School, launched his business success in Atlanta with a help-desk services company that rapidly was recognized on Inc. magazine's prestigious "500 List" three years in a row as the 14th fastest growing company. In 2000, Oxford was named "The Entrepreneur of the Year" by the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

The show is scheduled to air Sept. 13 on CBS 46 in Atlanta as well as on the new national cable channel, MAV Network. The live-audience taping will be August 12. In true reality-TV-show fashion, The Next Tycoon is a business-plan competition pitting entrepreneurs against one another in front of television cameras, a live audience, and critical judges. The final winner, "The Next Tycoon," will receive a prize package valued over $10,000: "The Next Tycoon" will be granted exposure to venture capitalists, membership to the prestigious Luxury Economics, plus $10,000 in cash.

"They say that luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Success is when opportunity meets with passion," Oxford said. "We want to give people the opportunity to show their passion. We want to bring success closer to those who deserve it."

"When you're dealing with a business environment that's changing as quickly as ours is today, every idea is worth exposure," Oxford added.

While the competition is based and will be filmed in Atlanta, it isn't limited to the region. Anyone who applies through the Web site, www.thenexttycoon.biz, is eligible as long as he or she has a plan for a viable business venture to present onsite.

"We're excited for these emerging entrepreneurs to present their ideas and get feedback from experts. I've been very fortunate to have made it as an entrepreneur, and I want to help others live their dream. I have a passion to start and grow businesses," Oxford said. In addition to producing the show, Oxford will serve as its host.

"I hope the show will inspire people from all walks of life to open their own business, but they need to be prepared when they do," he added. "That's where we hope to help them out a little. If they can present in a limited time in front of real business leaders and a television camera, and not fall apart, they've got a leg up for making it in the 'real world'."