Gail Bennison Special to the Business Press The Richards Barrentine Values and Ventures Business Plan Competition focuses on for-profit enterprises that impact society in meaningful ways. Plans must demonstrate a societal or environmental need to be filled, as well as the profitability of the business. Thirty student teams from 30 universities pitch ideas for 30 ventures that change the world. The competition will be set up much like the TV show Shark Tank. Students will pitch what they think is the new idea, and investors will ask them tough, real world questions. The panels of judges are made up of entrepreneurs, investors, marketing and financial experts, venture capitalists, attorneys, accountants, and other business leaders. The 2012 winners were: • First Place, $15,000 College: University of Houston, Bauer College of Business, Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship Business Plan: UNlimiters, an online retailer for products and services for people with disabilities • Second Place, $10,000 College: University of Oklahoma, Price College of Business Business Plan: Bright Sanitation, a cost-effective sanitation solution for India’s urban slums • Third Place, $5,000 College: University of Arizona, McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship Business Plan: Onward Packs, a backpack retailer with a portion of the proceeds used to purchase academic and sports equipment for in-need schools • Fourth Place, $2,500 College: Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (Mexico) Business Plan: AgriDeliCo, a company that builds jobs in Mexico by matching cactus farming to consumer demands in Japan • Honorable Mention College: Wilfrid Laurier University (Canada) Business Plan: Fundraid, online ad management platform that enables consumers to collect donation money as they purchase products Universities participating in the 2013 Richards Barrentine Values and Venture Business Plan Competition are:
U.S. Universities
Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C
Baylor University, Waco, Texas
Chapman University, Orange, Calif.
Christopher Newport University, Newport News, Va.
George Washington University, Washington D.C.
Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla.
Regis University, Denver, Colo.
Samford University, Birmingham, Ala.
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas
Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
The University of Tampa, Tampa, Fla.
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark.
University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
University of Houston, Houston, Texas
University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
University of Oklahoma, Norman, Okla.
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wis.
Villanova University, Villanova, Pa.
Wake Forest, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Walsh University, North Canton, Ohio
International Universities
J.J. Strossmayer University Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Monterrey Institute of Technology, Monterrey, Mexico
Royal Roads University, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland
