Entrepreneurial Cougs Win Big on the Circuit

Each spring, WSU student entrepreneurs gather their bright teammates, their innovative ideas, and their fledgling ventures and show them off on university campuses across the Northwest. The yearly collegiate business plan competition circuit is a place to demonstrate academic prowess and entrepreneurial skill, and win some big titles and cash prizes.

This year, WSU student venture teams came away with the following titles and prizes:

University of Washington’s annual Alaska Airlines Environmental Innovation Challenge, Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge, and Business Plan Competition

BeeToxx

Invented a combination of microparticles that can be mixed with bee feed to protect bees from the harmful effects of encountering pesticides during pollination.

Second place and $10,000 in UW’s Environmental Innovation Challenge. They also won the $5,000 Wells Fargo Cleantech/Environmental Prize and third place and $7,520 in the UW’s Business Plan Competition.

ElectroActive

Created a new electrochemical wound dressing that treats infections and stimulates healing in chronic wound management.

JARL prize (Judges Also Really Liked) of $1,000 in the Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge.

Intentio

Created a product to be included in STEM education kits that teaches students about wearable technology sensors.

One of thirty-seven teams selected as finalists and invited to present at the Tabling Round of the Business Plan Competition. Eighty-two teams from more than a dozen colleges and universities across the country entered the competition.

Also representing WSU at the Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge:

Epi-N, who developed a companion app for epinephrine users that will act as a notification system, pen tracker, and supply management tool.

Semplice, who developed a nutritious beverage made from acidic whey, a waste product generated during the production of Greek yogurt. Semplice also competed in the Alaska Airlines Environmental Innovation Challenge.

Northwest Entrepreneur Competition

Laser RevEng

Created an adaptation of smart home technology that improves gameplay in laser tag.

Advanced to the final round of the Northwest Entrepreneur Competition.

For more information about how you can support student entrepreneurs, please contact
Marie Mayes, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, at 509-335-5682 or m.mayes@wsu.edu,
or
Jeff Pilcher, director of development, at 509-335-8906 or jeff.pilcher@wsu.edu