The teams, made up of 1 – 6 students, were given three minutes to present an original business idea to a panel made up of four judges with business investment experience. The judges were Bob Jazwinski (JFS Wealth Advisors), Clancy Atkinson (PNC Wealth Management), Rich Epstein (Ekker, Kuster, McConnell & Epstein, LLP) and Tyler Hudson (Hudson Companies).

Michael Trombly (Grove City College) won first place ($1,000) with his business idea, Sand Chariot. The Sand Chariot is a uniquely designed beach wheelchair for the physically challenged and the elderly. Mr. Trombly and his father designed the first Sand Chariot for his aunt who has successfully been using the beach wheelchair for over six years.

The second place prize ($750) went to a team from Allegheny College who pitched a business called PureFrac. The team members, Eric Engelhardt and Anulekha Venkatram, intrigued the judges and the audience with a business idea centered on cleaning water used in the Marcellus Shale drilling process. This team recently won first place in the Allegheny College Gator Innovation Challenge.

The third place prize ($500) was awarded to Profile Passer (Grove City College). The team, made up of Samantha Weber, Mareah Zuck, Jimmy Van Eerden, and Nathan Albrecht, pitched an iPhone app that turns a virtual relationship between high school athletes and college coaches into a personal, one-­‐on-­‐one recruiting connection at college showcase tournaments in an effort to produce real results.

All three teams plan to pursue turning the ideas into real businesses. “This competition gives regional college students the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a judging panel made up of real-­‐ world investors,” stated Yvonne English, Executive Director of the eCenter@LindenPointe, “It was a true inspiration to see the array of ideas pitched at the competition. We’re going to do everything possible to encourage and support these students as they explore business ideas and hopefully start new businesses in our region.”

First Place:

Second Place:

Third Place:

About the eCenter@LindenPointe:

The eCenter@LindenPointe is committed to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the Oh-­‐ Penn interstate region, which is comprised of five counties in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, by providing a supportive environment, including infrastructure, education, training, mentorship and a network of service providers. This infrastructure will help entrepreneurs from the regional service area achieve success by encouraging technological innovation and economic growth which will, in turn, improve the conditions of the economically-­‐distressed area.

Media Contact:

Ben Franklin Technology Partners $50,000 BIG IDEA Business Plan Contest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:    February 1, 2012 

For further information:

Liz Wilson, Ben Franklin Technology Partners/CNP
814-898-6541
lizwilson@psu.edu     

The Ben Franklin Technology Partners $50,000 BIG IDEA Business Plan Contest is Still Running!

Deadline for Applications is February 29, 2012

State College, PA – Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern Pennsylvania will award a grand prize of $50,000 to one tech-based startup or entrepreneur who submits the best plan to develop and grow a business in the 32-county footprint served by the program in Pennsylvania.  Those who are interested can visit http://bigidea.benfranklin.org for a complete description of the rules, FAQ’s, and entry forms. The deadline for applications is February 29, 2012.

Preferred industry sectors include, but are not limited to: nanotechnology, green technologies, alternative energy, advanced manufacturing, advanced materials, medical devices, information technology and software development.

Jill Edwards, Executive Director of Ben Franklin’s Venture Investment Forum, commented, “If you have always wanted to start your own tech business, this contest is a great opportunity.  Don’t hesitate to apply.  A simple on-line summary gets you started!

About Ben Franklin Technology Partners

Ben Franklin Technology Partners CNP, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, provides investment capital and business support services to emerging tech-based companies and small, existing manufacturers for the purpose of creating and retaining jobs in Pennsylvania.  Contact the central office of Ben Franklin in University Park at (814) 863-4559 or see our website at www.cnp.benfranklin.org

Heidi F. Sullivan

Ben Franklin Technology PArtners
5340 Fryling Road
Erie, PA  16510
Telephone:  (814) 898-6650
Fax:  (814) 898-6613
www.cnp.benfranklin.org