Oklahoma State University students from the Ritata Center's Student Start-up Central
program will be presenting their businesses and business ideas to the Riata Center
and School of Entrepreneurship advisory board members for cash prizes to further their
businesses. Presentations will begin at 1 p.m. Friday at the OSU Student Start–Up
Central.
Several participating students have ranked high in recent student business competitions
in Oklahoma and regionally.
From left, a Donald W. Reynolds Governor's Cup and Aerofusion members Lee Easton,
Jacob Stockton and Trevor Hermosillo and Richard Gajan, Carl Thoma Distinguished Clinical
Professor in the School of Entrepreneurship.
Recently, student team Aerofusion placed third at the Donald W. Reynolds Governor's
Cup business competition. Team members are Lee Easton, electrical and computer engineering;
Trevor Hermosillo, electrical and computer engineering; and graduate student Jacob
Stockton, an unmanned aerospace systems major. The competition simulates the real
world process of researching a market, writing a business plan and making a presentation
to potential investors.
"I have learned more about how to start a business in the past two months than I can
say I have my whole life," said Easton. "The (Governor's Cup) competition was a goal
with a very short timeline that made us put some pencil to paper and really come up
with a good business concept."
From left, Maryanne E. McGowan, Strategy & Implementation Manager at Duke Energy,
Diane Cooper, Jeff Mittelstadt, competition organizer and Director of Sustainability
Davidson College, and Sheline Schutz.
Team Turfgrass Wizard Management also placed third at the Davidson College Next Play
Competition. Team members are Diane Cooper and Sheline Schutz, masters of entrepreneurship
students. The competition focused on student–led business plans that aim to make the
sports industry more sustainable.
"This was a very valuable opportunity not only for the experience of competition but
the advice for our business concept and the connections to leaders in the industry,"
said Cooper. In addition, their concept for Turfgrass Wizard Management won the Facilities
Track Spotlight Prize of $1000, sponsored by Duke Energy.
The OSU Student Start–up Central has a new off–campus location, 1020 N. Boomer Road
in the Bank NA building, dedicated to student entrepreneurs. The location currently
houses almost 20 student businesses that participate in the Incubator or Hatchery
programs.
The Rita Center is currently accepting applications for Fall 2014. For more information
contact Rachel Mui at 405-744-7552 or visit http://riata.okstate.edu/.
