CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY 2024
WELCOME
We are delighted to welcome you to our 12th annual New Venture Challenge (NVC)! We’re excited to host over 90 participants this year in the Elevator Pitch Competition, Full Presentation Competition, Venture Gallery and Innovation Showcase.
At the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship, our mission is to teach practical skills, inspire innovative thinking, and connect student entrepreneurs with mentors and other resources. NVC is a celebration of the creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of CMU.
The teams you will see today have participated in programs throughout the year, spending countless hours formulating and refining their business models. Students have leveraged IBIE resources such as prototype building, mentorship, pitch competitions and workshops. The mentor program of CMU alumni and faculty members provided one-on-one coaching and support through meetups and networking nights. These opportunities gave budding innovators the ability to build on their ideas, hone their skills and network with industry experts.
This year, we're excited to introduce the new Alternative Entrepreneurial Pathways (AEP) competition track, generously powered by CMU alum Doug Parker. Alternative Entrepreneurial Pathways is an avenue beyond the start-up. It is a category for students exploring entrepreneurship through acquisition or a familyowned business.
Today, students will compete in two tracks of the New Venture Challenge: the full 10-minute presentation track and the 90 second - 2-minute elevator pitch track. Students in both tracks will display their venture in the Venture Gallery. A total of 46 teams pitched their venture in the preliminary round earlier this month. We welcome the final 9 teams competing for the $20,000 grand prize in the full presentation category and the final 30 elevator pitch competitors pitching for the top $4,000 prize. Thanks to our generous supporters, teams have the opportunity to win awards for creativity, campus innovation, rural impact and more.
For the 3rd year, we present the Innovation Showcase- a special display of innovative, creative and entrepreneurial student projects across campus. For more information about the showcase, go to page 3.
We want to thank all the many supporters and stakeholders who make NVC possible. In addition to our sponsors, we also thank our mentors, advisors, faculty, judges, and the family and friends of our student competitors. Your generous efforts have made a true impact on our students and their success.
We appreciate all those who support the success of our future entrepreneurs from Central Michigan University and beyond!
Chris Moberg, Dean Julie Messing, Director
Spenser Robinson, Chair
College of Business Administration
Michigan University
Chris Moberg, Dean
College of Business Administration Central Michigan University
Julie Messing, Director
Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship Central Michigan University
Spenser Robinson, Chair
Entrepreneurship Department
Central
SCHEDULE
TIME
1:00 PM Event Check-In
1:45 PM NVC Kick-Off
2:00 - 2:15 PM Full Presentation: Alternative Entrepreneurial Pathways
2:20 - 3:05 PM Full Presentations: Main Street
3:10 - 3:55 PM Full Presentations: Social Mission
4:00 - 4:15 PM Elevator Pitch: Top Five
4:20 - 5:05 PM Full Presentations: High Growth
EHS
French Lobby
EHS
French Auditorium
EHS
French Auditorium
EHS
French Auditorium
EHS
French Auditorium
EHS
French Auditorium
EHS
French Auditorium
5:00 - 7:00 PM Gallery, Showcase & Strolling Dinner BIO Atrium, 1015
7:00 PM Awards & Recognition
Cultured Kombucha Founder, Courtney Lorenz BIO 1010
EVENT APP REGISTRATION
Scan the QR code to access the event app. Enter the passcode 'nvc2024' and create an account.
GALLERY & SHOWCASE
The Venture Gallery and Innovation Showcase highlight the innovative ventures, projects and programs across CMU’s campus. 63 displays will line the main hall of the Biosciences building. As you meet the students, entrepreneurs and innovators, please enjoy your dinner and beverages, specially created by CMU Catering. In addition, guests present today can vote on their favorite Venture Gallery and Innovation Showcase display via the eventmobi app.
Student Venture Gallery
Check out 40 student displays and learn about their business concepts and creations. In addition to the Audience Choice Awards, a group of judges will evaluate each table to determine the prizes for best venture gallery display.
Campus Innovation Showcase
Students and programs from across the College of Business Administration, College of Arts and Media, College of Science and Engineering, College of Education and Human Services, will showcase some of their top innovations and creations. Guests today will vote to award $1,000 to the best Innovation Showcase display.
Feature programs and projects in the showcase:
American Chemical Society Student Members: We Do Exploration
Animation BFA Senior Projects:
Blight
Sweet Silkie
The Arcade Showdown
The Skullys
Baja SAE
Chippewa Performance 2024 Competition Vehicle
Chippewa Racing Formula SAE
IDEA Den
Mechanical Engineering Senior Design:
DTE/ESD: Multi-point Thermocouple Assembly
Vantage Plastics: Thermal Imaging for Process Optimization
Bay Cast: SFSA Cast in Steel 2023-2024 Competition
Moore Media Records: Sampler Album 20
Threads Fashion Show:
Dancing with Minerva
Divine Skies N'Firey Underworld
From Paint to Pattern
Live Fast, Die Young
Resplendence
The Annunciation
The Art of Innovation
The Drone Program
University Innovation Fellows
Wakeling Gendron Entrepreneurship Scholars Program
CMU Department of Theatre & Dance
How to vote for the
Choice Awards
1. Scan the QR code or visit: eventmobi.com/nvc2024
2. Enter the passcode "nvc2024"
3. Create an account
4. Select the left-hand tab
5. Click on "Audience Choice Voting"
6. Make sure you vote in both the Venture Gallery and Innovation Showcase category. You can only vote once in each.
Do you need help voting? Visit the registration table for assistance.
ELEVATOR PITCH
MISSION LURES*
Jack Flynn
SNAPFIT
Srikar Puma
Rohan Muthyala
SMART WHIZ STIMULATIONS
Yaswanth Kumar Madaka
PORTA-WALL
Markus Shannon
RASEGAN OUTDOOR COMPANY
Robert Rasegan
RAYGUN DIGITAL MEDIA
Justin Miller
STARDOM STUDIOS
Kefir Klee
Andrew Bootz
Logan Harding
GREENERY
Thuy Trang Nguyen
Xiaobai Chen
Wanping Chen
Tien Nguyen
POLARFLEX
Mitchell Metiva
LIFETRACK
Justin Spivey
FLINT MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGIES
Ryan Bierbusse
NATURE'S TOYBOX
Cameron Krauss
Fallon Schulte
RECRENTAL
Dylan Everett
STARLEAF BOTANICALS
Ian Becker
KTEMP
Kenneth Tate
TAMAS COLLECTIONS LTD
Helen Oyimi Bebenimibo
THE ROXIE*
Mela Hammond
Savana Stewart
Jerome Essenmacher
COLLEGIATE COFFEE COMPANY
Nick O'Brien
MAIN ATTRACTION RETAIL
Mackenzie Good
CRCL
Derek Ballas
Joshua Lim
QUICK ZIPS
Patrick Zamora
MATCHRIX
Filip Dimitrievski
Mateja Milicevic
DMF BAIT CO.
Connor Beaudoin *Full presentation runner up
JOMANA LIMITED*
Joseph Marah
A RETAIL VISION
Venkata Subba Reddy Pulagam
BENIFLUENCE
Anamica SarkerAmi
Shravan Kumar
Asima Akter Chowdhury
Jannatul Nayeem
EDGEWATER ESTATE MANAGEMENT
Trevor Shuman
EVENTIFIDE
Erin Markovicz
GUNTHER GUITAR CO.
Russell Timmerman
MAPSCRATCHED
Carolina Hernandez Ruiz
KTEMP
Kenneth Tate
FULL PRESENTATIONS
BUFF CO.
Aj Kostic
High Growth
CHXPT
Rocio Costilla
Marisa Lopez
Main Street
TIDES & TIARAS
Alina Krasinski
SUSTAINABOWL
Meenakshi Cheella
Rohith Sangars
HAPPYPETS LODGE
Maxwell Grubaugh
Kendyl Wilson
Social Mission
ATTI NAOMIS FOUNDATION
Omomoemi Agbegha
Alternative Entrepreneurial Pathways –Powered by Doug Parker: Winner
DOMINATOR CLEATS
Lawai’a Brown
NORTH WOODS MUSIC
Jacob Mcleod
LEAD YOU HOME INCORPORATED
David Abilez
RESTORATION 1 DETROIT
Gavin Kushmaul
JUDGES
EMILY AUSTIN Go To Market Strategist, Ford Motor Company
CARTER BALLINGER Owner, Seasonal Swing, LLC., CB Paint, LLC
DYLAN BANAGIS CEO & Co-Founder, The Wanderheart Project
JULIA BECKER Owner, Valhalla Indoor Axe Throwing
SKYLAR BENNETHUM Associate, Hibiscus BioVentures
KEVIN BLASER
Tribal Economic Development and Strategy Executive
ROB BURGAN IT Consultant/Technician, RFM Group
BRYAN CARAGAY Senior IOS Software Engineer; Remind
HAILEY CARAGAY Owner, Hazel Coffee Co. Freelance and Consulting
GREG COCKE Regional Sales Director; Sumo Logic
LAURA COFFEE
Marketing & Owner Services Manager, GreenTree Co-op Market
LIZ CONWAY President and CEO, Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce
CASEY CROAD Co-Founder and Co-Owner. Ignite Donuts
LEE CURTIS
CEO and Founding Partner. RESIDE Worldwide, Inc.
AARON DESENTZ City Manager, City of Mount Pleasant
ENRICO DIGIROLAMO CFO General Motors Europe (Retired)
TONY FOX Regional Director, Mid-Michigan Small Business Development Cnter (SBDC)
ELISSA GAGNE Chief Operating Officer, Central Michigan University Research Corporation
KEVIN GILBOE Project Lead Global Epicenter of Mobility, Design Core Detroit
LASHANTA GREEN Head of Marketing & Community Relations, Dow Credit Union
STEVE HAHN
DOM HOLMES
ZACHARY HUFFMAN
NICK JACQMAIN
MIKE JAKOLAT
SBIR/STTR Program Expert, National Science Foundation (NSF)
Emerging Growth & Innovation Administrator, Oakland County, Michigan Government
Founder and CEO, Hyvion
President and CEO, Springfield Commercial Roofing
CEO, The BeaconView Group
JOHN KOLAREVIC Managing Partner, ECEK Holdings, LLC
JOHN G. KULHAVI
JAMES MCBRYDE
Senior Consultant, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management (Retired)
President and CEO, Middle Michigan Development Corporation
PHILIP MUNDT
KRISTIE NYSTEDT
OLIVIA PAGEAU
ERIN PATRICE
LYNDELL PATRICK
ROBB PORTER
ELIZABETH PROPP
JEFF PUNCHES
LEE RICHARDS
DAVE ROMENESKO
MIKE RUSH
ERIN STRANG
CRINA TARASI
LISA TARKINGTON
ALEXANDERIA TINKER
JODY TRIECH
MATT UHL
JON VOIGTMAN
CHRIS WILLIAMS
STEPHEN WAKELING
AMBER ZASKE
DAVID ZICK
Founder and CEO, Form Further
Founder, President and CEO, ABS Commercial, Atlantic Brew Supply, Raleigh Brewing, and Atlantic Process Solutions
Marketing Specialist, Jackson County Chamber of Commerce
Conversationalist and Community Engagement, The Breaking Bread Village
President, Florida Business Interiors (Retired)
President, Head of Shipper Solutions & Managed Transportation at Loadsmart
Real Estate Investment & Development Executive
Small Business Consultant, Small Business Development Corporation
President, Blue Water Angles Investment Group
Partner, Legacy Wealth Advisors (Retired)
President, Junior Achievement of Central Michigan
President & CEO, CMU Research Corporation
Professor of Marketing, Central Michigan University
Founder, Lead Nonprofit
Project Manager, Covet Security
CPA, Investment Manager & Finance Professional
Mergers Acquisition Advisor, Calder Capital, LLC
Executive Chairman, Sports and Health Tech Acquisition Corporation
Owner, Lyseon Additive Manufacturing, LLC
Founder and CEO, Phobio
Community Relations Specialist, Isabella Bank
Owner, Rehab and Mobility Systems LLC. (Retired)
AWARDS
HIGH GROWTH
The Korson Family High Growth Potential Venture Award: $10,000
The Reed Family 2nd Place Award: $5,000
Kristie Nystedt 3rd Place Award: $2,000
MAIN STREET
Kulhavi Top Main Street Award: $ 10,000
Isabella Bank 2nd Place Award: $5,000
Clyde & Jessica Rucker 3rd Place Award: $2,000
SOCIAL MISSION
Top Social Venture Award: $ 10,000
2nd Place Social Venture Award: $5,000
3rd Place Social Venture Award: $2,000
OVERALL VENTURE AWARD
The Michael & Dianne Morey Overall Venture Award: $10,000
ALTERNATIVE ENTREPRENEURIAL PATHWAYS – POWERED BY DOUG PARKER
The Doug Parker Pathways Award: $5,000
THE LYNDELL PATRICK ELEVATOR PITCH COMPETITION AWARDS
Best Overall Pitch: $ 4,000
1st Runner-up: $ 2,000
2nd Runner-up: $ 1,000
(2) Honorable Mention: $ 250
VENTURE GALLERY AWARDS
1st Place Gallery: $ 2,000
Team Financial Group, Inc. 2nd Place Gallery: $ 1,500
3rd Place Gallery: $ 1,000
(2) Brenda & Dennis Buckler Honorable Mention: $250
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS
Greg & Sue Cocke Top Venture Gallery: $1,000
Team Financial Group, Inc. Runner-up Venture Gallery: $500
Team Financial Group Inc. Top Innovation Showcase: $1,000
Team Financial Group, Inc. Runner-up Innovation Showcase: $500
STAND-OUT AWARDS
The Bob Larson Creativity Award(s): $5,000
Doug Parker Rural Impact Award: $5,000
Campus Impact Award: $5,000
INVESTOR & IN-KIND AWARDS
Matthew Skornicka: Free accounting services for 1 year
Middle Michigan Development Corporation Ivestor Award: &2,000 & in-kind services
JEFF THOMAS ACORN AWARDS
In memory of Jeff Thomas, each year the Entrepreneurship Department presents Acorn Awards to individuals who honor Jeff’s legacy and passion for entrepreneurship. The acorn represents a symbol of growth and unlimited potential, which is something Jeff was extremely passionate about. It possesses the “oak knowledge” or all the knowledge that is needed to create the mighty oak tree. The acorn teaches us about our own potential as one acorn can grow into a colossal oak tree and seed an entire forest.
Each year two recipients will receive the Jeff Thomas Acorn Award. One recipient will be a student or recent graduate and the other will be a faculty member or mentor. The “future oak” award will be awarded to an individual who has really “planted” themselves in the entrepreneurship program by making the most of the opportunities at CMU and has begun to show the early indicators of entrepreneurial leadership. The “oak” award will be awarded to a current or past faculty member, advisor, or alumni who has directly invested themselves, their ideas, connections, resources, time, etc. into the entrepreneurship program at CMU to help develop “future oaks”.
JEFF THOMAS ENTREPRENEURSHIP SCHOLARSHIP
We are currently raising money to create a scholarship in honor and memory of Jeff Thomas. Scan the code if you would like to donate. Your contribution would be greatly appreciated.
David Nows Faculty Acorn Award Recipient
Matthew Skornicka Young Alumni Acorn Award Recipient
THANK YOU
The dedication and passion of everyone makes the New Venture Challenge a success. This event would not have been possible without the generosity of our partners, sponsors, and donors. Thank you for supporting our goal of an enhanced cross-campus celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Together we can build a brighter future. It’s not too early to commit to helping with next year’s event! In addition to judges and mentors, there are various levels of fundraising support needed to continue to produce this great event.
GET INVOLVED
If you are interested in giving your time, talent, or treasure, please contact Julie Messing at julie.messing@cmich.edu or visit www.cmich.edu/ibie
IBIE TEAM
Director of IBIE, Julie Messing
Entreprenuer In-Residence, John Gustinic
Program & Event Manager, Kaye Reimers
Executive Secretary, Danielle Mason
Ambassador, Jackson Raymond
Ambassador, Jazlyn Coles
Ambassador, Reshma Chowdhary
Event Coordinator, Reeve Katt
Communications Coordinator, Breanna Prince
Graduate Assistant, Ekhomen Ehimen-Ebitibituwa
Graphic Design Coordinator, Amy Adams
Graphic Design Coordinator, Skky Lawrence
Promotions Coordinator, Jada Gardner
Tech Coordinator, Connor Johnson
THE KORSON FAMILY
TOM & VICKI CELANI STUDENT VENTURE CAPITAL FUND MICHAEL & DIANNE MOREY
THE LABELLE FAMILY
MRS. KRISTIE NYSTEDT
THE REED FAMILY
JOHN G. KULHAVI
LYNDELL PATRICK
MATTHEW SKORNICKA, CPA BRENDA & DENNIS BUCKLER GREG &
BOB LARSON
DOUG PARKER
CLYDE & JESSICA RUCKER