April 27, 2016

Next generation of entrepreneurs competing in Shocker New Venture Competition

WSU News Services

  • Student entrepreneurs have created business concepts for the Shocker New Venture Competition.
  • Sixteen teams have advanced to compete for $30,000 in start-up capital.
  • Winners will be awarded money to help commercialize their business.

Wichita State University's Center for Entrepreneurship Shocker New Venture Competition is underway and will award prize money in start-up capital to aid competitors in the launch of their new ventures.

Sponsors of this year’s competition include Foulston Siefkin, Intrust Bank, Mitchell & Richards, Riverside Health Foundation, Wesley Medical Center, Hayes Co., Lubrication Engineers Inc. and NetWork Kansas.

Intent-to-compete forms were submitted by 64 teams, with more than 175 participants from across the state.

The teams submitted a synopsis of their business concept, and judges selected 36 teams to advance to the 10-page screening round of the competition. From those 36 teams, 16 were selected to advance to the trade show round. Selection was based on market viability, the new venture’s stage of development and financial projections.

The 16 teams advancing to the trade show are:

  • ARMOR – Personal Safety Alarm
  • Cypher Eyewear
  • Dogs Rule Playschool
  • Family First Medical Clinic LLC
  • Firebase Care LLC
  • ImpacTrack
  • Knox Equine Boot
  • Lawn Buddy
  • Nanofit
  • Noticrate
  • PayPer Park
  • Quickdraw Solutions LLC
  • Right Fit
  • The Rural Health Connection
  • Tip Toez
  • Veterinarian Positioning System

The trade show is 2-6 p.m. Friday, April 22, at Charles Koch Arena, where teams will set up displays and pitch their business concepts to more than 120 business leaders. The public is welcome and encouraged to come out and witness this next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.

The six teams with the most “investments” by the judges will advance to the final round from 1-4 p.m. Friday, April 29, in Devlin Hall, Room 107 on Wichita State’s main campus. An award ceremony will follow at Devlin Hall in the Innovation Hub, Room 215, with winners being announced at 5 p.m.

Shocker New Venture tweet

Shocker New Venture tweet

The Shocker New Venture Competition is designed to inspire campus innovation and develop entrepreneurial mindsets.

Each year this event connects students from all academic disciplines to take key steps in developing world solutions.

During the Shocker New Venture Competition teams are challenged to present their ideas and projects through various entrepreneurial concepts.

Each team will be evaluated by their abilities to encapsulate their business concept through a clear value proposition, a market analysis and a sustainable competitive advantage.

At the end of the Shocker New Venture journey teams will be recognized for their hard work and dedication.

Winning teams will be awarded start-up capital from a prize pool of more than $30,000 to aid in the launch of their new venture.

For more information, go to http://www.wichita.edu/snvc.