From a cancer diagnostic tool to mobile phone apps, composting systems and robots, the 2010 Olin Cup semifinalists represent a diverse range of entrepreneurs selected to compete in the annual business plan competition sponsored by the Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Washington University in St. Louis.
The $75,000 top prize will be awarded Feb. 3, 2011. Between now and then, the field of 21 semifinalists will be narrowed to a handful of finalists who will need to convince a team of judges with elevator pitches, presentations and detailed business plans that they have a viable venture worthy of investors.
Finalists will be named Nov. 18, 2010, following the Elevator Pitch Competition at 6 p.m. in Simon Hall. The event is open to the public and audience members are invited to evaluate the pitches and pick their own winners. The audience member who comes closest to the judges’ official selection will win $250.
Register for the event at ideabounce.com/contact/events.php.
The semifinalists are:
- 2-Way Micropay is a micropayment platform for online transactions;
- BeaconHands is a website where users can find and manage paperwork required to live, work, or play in another country;
- CorporateConscience is a website that allows consumers to access conscience ratings through online and mobile applications;
- FocusMind uses brainwave technology to allow users to improve their concentration skills;
- Freiezo, LLC is developing high efficiency distributed wind energy systems;
- Heartland Fight League is developing a local promotions campaign[?] for amateur and professional mixed martial arts events;
- Human Canvas is a revolutionary body art product;
- LearningWeb is a software service to set up personalized mobile schools or learning centers in minutes;
- Loadmaster ToolKit will enable Air Force Loadmasters to manage aircraft payload and passengers;
- Measured Success is a teacher evaluation tool focused on the school-to-teacher fit;
- My Family Plate™ is a family-oriented weight loss program;
- NanoMed, LLC is developing a superior dural (protective brain layer) substitute for clinical use in human neurological settings;
- PulmoCAD, LLC is developing a computer-assisted diagnosis tool for lung cancer;
- Quad Connect is an online community tool for college students to post and find events and discuss topics;
- RecruitPages.com captures contributions from fans, athletes, and coaches about American college sports;
- Shoppit uses radio frequency identification tracking technology and smart phone applications to enhance the shopping experience;
- Sustainagreen Systems will distribute a closed system technology that composts organic materials at a higher turnover rate;
- Tapestry Biosystems is developing a portal for content aggregation and networking for life scientists;
- The Mission Center, L3C, is a for-profit social enterprise to meet administrative needs of nonprofit organizations;
- TixMixer combines technology with real-world interactions to connect people with common interests; and
- TrashBlaster is a material reclamation facility with robotic sorters controlled by video gamers.
For more information on these businesses, visit ideabounce.com.