UC Davis' Big Bang! business plan competition is set to conclude May 21 at a public program that opens with a reception and ends with an awards ceremony -- and features project presentations from the five finalists in between.

The finalists are due to make their presentations in private to the judges' panel earlier in the day. First prize is $15,000 and second place is $5,000. During the second set of presentations, as part of the public program, the teams will vie for the people's choice award of $3,000.

The finalists and their projects:

• Advanced Enological Closures, a "perfect" wine closure.

• Arcus, a device that monitors blood-glucose levels via breath.

• CEDR, or Cost Effective Demand Response, a system that reduces electricity consumption in commercial buildings.

• PuriTea, water purification technology.

• WicKool, an energy-saving retrofit to reduce the costs associated with commercial rooftop air conditioning units.

The reception is scheduled for 5 p.m. and the presentations and awards ceremony from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the Activities and Recreation Center's Ballroom A. Admission is free, though reservations must be arranged by May 19, via e-mail to rsvp@gsm.ucdavis.edu.

The competition, in its eighth year, is organized by MBA students of the Graduate School of Management. More information: bigbang.gsm.ucdavis.edu.