Student business brains compete for grand prize

February 23, 2010

The Rowan University Rohrer College of Business will host the final round of its yearlong Business Plan Competition on Saturday, March 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Eynon Ballroom of the Chamberlain Student Center on the Glassboro campus.

Five student finalists have completed several previous rounds, including submission of intent to compete, judged feasibility studies, judged written feasibility plans and several workshops.

During the final round, the five teams will present their plans before an audience and panel of expert judges. Winners of the competition will receive cash prizes of $5,000, $2,500, $1,000, and $500 honorariums.

The finalists are:

• Hydravolve Design Technology, by Michael J. Bonanno, entrepreneurship major of Clarksboro, and George G. Vesa of Marlton. Hydravolve Design Technology is a New Jersey-based company specializing in tattoo machine technology and innovation. With a new 100-percent customizable design, the firm plans to make every other electromagnetic and rotary tattoo machine obsolete.
• Legacy Comics, by Alex Silverii, radio/TV/film Major of Milltown, Maurice Grant, computer science major of East Brunswick, and Patrick Hand, film major of Jamesburg. Legacy Comics is a graphic novel production house focusing on bringing strong, complex and fresh stories to the comic book medium.
• The Perfect Fit, by Lauren D'Alessandro, entrepreneurship major of Maple Shade. She has founded a lingerie store specializing in extended sizes for small women.
• Sweet Alternatives, by Chelsea Freedman, management and marketing major of Deptford. Sweet Alternatives is a specialty frozen yogurt retailer that provides fresh, all-natural nutritious alternatives to dessert.
• Sweet Seats, by Kelly Leurs, management major of Franklinville. Sweet Seats sells baby car seats that are designed with modern technology and ensure that no baby is left behind.

Judges for the final stage of the contest are: Robert Braun, senior vice president at PSE&G Nuclear of Lower Alloways Creek; Edward Cloues, president of K-Tron International of Pitman; Joseph Lizza, president and CEO of Susquehanna Patriot Bank of Marlton; Linda Rohrer, president of Rohrer & Sayers Real Estate of Haddon Township; and Paul Tully, principal at Eagle Wealth Strategies of Woodbury.

This event is free and open to the public. To register, visit:
http://www.rowan.edu/colleges/business/cie/bpfinalreg.html. For more information, contact Sarah Piddington, interim director, Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, at piddington@rowan.edu.