BizStarts Milwaukee, in conjunction with MSOE and the Rader School of Business, welcomed over 100 attendees to the Mason Wells Collegiate Business Plan Competition and Networking Event Wednesday night, April 27th.
Bob Hillis, founder of Direct Supply, served as keynote speaker and shared his story and perspective with the audience. A video of Bob’s presentation will be posted shortly!
Also, congratulations to our five Collegiate Business Plan Competition finalists!
First Place, $5,000, was awarded to Renwig Custom. Renwig is a net-age builder of enhanced analog tube guitar amplifiers. A student team from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater included: Brennon Garthwait, David Hartwig and Evan Preston. Their advisor is William Dougan.
Second/Third Place were tied, and the award was split: $3,500 was awarded each to two plans from 72 Web Design & Kallows, Inc.
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72 Web Design provides a low-cost local, professional online solution for candidates running for public office. The website, named after the number of counties in Wisconsin, aims to make available the benefits of a strong internet presence to all candidates in local races. The student team from MSOE included Garrick Jannene and Ashley Dzick. Jeffrey Blessing is their advisor.
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Kallows, Inc. makes medical and fitness monitors based on high-tech smartphones and tablets for a quickly growing mobile health market, also known as the mHealth market. Kallows’ mission is to design, develop, patent and market new technologies in the mobile medical and fitness market. Student Team from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee includes: Gajanan Nagarsekar and Kevin Kreger. Their advisor is Kanti Prasad.
Fourth Place, $2,000 was awarded to OilSTAT. OilSTAT is a sensor for oil quality analysis in heavy equipment and other motor vehicle applications. OilSTAT was created by Kyle Jaeger, a student from Carthage College. His advisor is Doug Arion.
Fifth Place, $1,000 was awarded to Hesed Design. Hesed Design recycles high-fashion jewelry that has been previously worn or discarded. The idea behind this venture is to take something outdated and re-make it into something new and hip. Hesed Design was created by Margaret McCormick, a student from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Her Advisor is Matt Wagner.
Zach Brandon, director of the Wisconsin Angel Network, announced that Kallows, Inc. was chosen as a finalist for the Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan contest.
Special thanks to all the final round judges:
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Susan Crane, WE Energies;
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Fred Brooks, BizStarts Milwaukee;
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Nicholas Kees, Godfrey & Kahn;
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David Kircher, Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corp.
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Tom Shannon, Shamrock Partners.
/MediaFiles/Video/winners.flv