Business Concept Competition
The Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurial Studies announced the top three award winners of the Business Concept Competition on Monday evening.
First place was announced by Jim Hill of Edward Jones who awarded $500 to the Belle Terre Adjustable Hanger team comprised of senior Laura Hendley of Miamisburg, Sophomore Alex Long of Hilliard, Senior Katelin Reynolds of Dillsburg, and Junior Kelly Smutylo of Mansfield. The Belle Terre project is an adjustable clothes hanger made from recycled materials. Belle Terre, which means “Beautiful Earth” in Italian, will help the environment by using recycled plastic, stimulate the economy because the manufacturing will be done in the United States, and fulfill a need for consumers by keeping their clothing safe and damage-free. The students are all Fashion Merchandising majors.
(Left to right) Laura Hendley, Alex Long, Katelin Reynolds, Kelly Smutylo First Place winners of the Business Concept Competition with their project “Belle Terre”
Scott Harris of Bill Harris Auto Dealerships announced the second place winner, Columbus Commute and Scoot, and awarded $300 to Joe D’ Andrea from Westerville. Joe’s project is a service designed to assist Columbus commuters with getting their vehicles serviced while at work. Joe is a senior studying Economics and Political Science.
Second Place winner, Joe D’ Andrea with his project “Columbus Commute & Scoot
Junior Alex Curavo from Northwood, a marketing major, won the third place award for his concept entry called Beyond Beverages. Fred Oxley of Lutz and Oxley Co. LPA presented Alex with a $200 award for his project. Beyond Beverages is a healthier alternative to sugary fruit-flavored drinks.
Alex Curavo presents Beyond Beverages which was the Third Place winner.
There were 38 students across the Ashland University Campus that entered 21 business concepts into the competition. Seven projects were selected as semi-finalists and those students made a short presentation of their projects to businesses, university professors, friends and family at the Awards Night
Students that were members of the seven semi-finalist for the Business Concept Competition.
Belle Terre members receive their $500 award from Edward Jones. (left to right) Alex Long, Katelin Reynolds, Kelly Smutylo, and Laura Hendley.
Belle Terre will now enter the LaunchTown Business Concept Competition on April 7, 2008 at John Carroll University. The winner of the LaunchTown competition will receive $10,000 cash prizes and another $10,000 of in-kind donations. Belle Terre students will compete against students from the University of Akron, Baldwin Wallace University, Cleveland State University, Case Western Reserve University, John Carroll University, and Kent State University. The LaunchTown Leadership team is made up of entrepreneurs, lawyers, investors, consultants and funders from the Akron and Cleveland area.