West Virginia University students will have millions of dollars on the line Thursday as they vie for $5 million in capital investments.

It’s not real money, but for students in the Master of Professional Accountancy program it will be just as valuable.

As part of their Accounting and Business Consulting course, students will participate in a mock venture capital fair Thursday, March 30, from 1:30-6:30 p.m. at the College of Business and Economics.

Seven teams of students, each having formed a simulated company, will compete for financial investments from a panel of fiveventure capitalistswho are alumni and successful business people.

Each team will present its business plans, and anelevator pitch,to the capitalists, who will negotiate with teams worthy of investment dollars, ultimately inking valuable investment deals.

The venture capital fair is a learning exercise for students, and sometimes for the professors and venture capitalists,Dr. Richard Riley, Louis F. Tanner distinguished professor of public accounting, said.The essence of the activity is to raise money for a business the students created by their own brains, blood, sweat and tears.

Riley said the process can be frustrating, but the students grow through the experience.