Innovision Fall 2018

The 8th annual KU Business Idea Competition occurred on November 13. During this event, student entrepreneurs competed to win cash prizes and mentorship opportunities. Prior to the event, students submitted their business ideas, and12 groups moved on to compete in the final round. Each competitor assembled a basic business idea that includedmarketing and financials and detailed how they planned on moving the business forward. The competitors were given five minutes to present their ideas, and the judges were allowed to ask follow-up questions. Once all contestants presented, the judges deliberated. After several minutes of deliberation, they announced the winners. The first place team, lead by Andrew Niver, alongside Mason Murphy, Sydney Stibitz and Selena Cintron, proposed Hot Shot Tobacco-Free Chew, an alternative substance that is designed to be used as a quitting enabler for those who use smokeless tobacco products. The Hot Shot team will go on to compete in PASSHE’s Spring 2019 Business Plan Competition. This competition brings together entrepreneurs from all 14 state universities for a chance to win a $10,000 award. In second place was Right Now, proposed by Zack Tidmore, Emily Rohrbaugh, Miguel Lavarro and Brett Rovny. Right Now is an app designed to enhance the college bar/club experience by producing an estimate wait time to enter the establishment, drink specials, hours of operation, food menu and dress code. The third place winner was Sweet Pastry LLC proposed by Dorian O’Connell. Sweet Pastry LLC wants to offer an array of stuffed homemade Bavarian style pretzels, rolls and pretzel-related products to local restaurants, breweries and markets. The first, second and third place winners won prizes of $1,000, $500 and $250 respectively. For those groups with multiple people, the cash prize is split up between members. BUSINESS IDEA COMPETITION A panel of judges assessed each business plan. This panel included: JACK GOTTLIEB Founder and CEO of the Total Solutions Group JOHN L. SCOTT Vice President of Community Lending for Community First Fund LORI B. DONOFRIO-GALLEY Executive Director of the Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce ALYSE MITTEN President of Berks Schuylkill SCORE L to R: Lori Donofrio-Galley, Alyse Mitten, Jack Gottlieb, John L. Scott “Each competitor assmebled a basic business idea that included marketing and financials and detailed how they planned on moving the business into fruition.”