WSU entrepreneurs are looking to take their business ideas to the next level in the 2024 JMA
The teams participating in the accelerator this summer are:
Autonomous eDNA Collection for Aquatic Ecosystems: Introducing a compact, autonomous device designed to filter and analyze DNA directly within aquatic environments, revolutionizing the way we monitor biodiversity.
Medimon: A revolutionary health science education platform that merges interactive gaming with a trading card dynamic, enriching learning through nostalgia, collection, and ownership.
PicsGenie.com: Makes thousands of customer experiences better by allowing anyone to design a shirt online in only 15 seconds, making it possible for anyone to have a blast designing a custom T-Shirt. No experience necessary.
The JMA is a program open to undergrads, graduates, post-docs and recently graduated alumni. It is designed to take entrepreneurs from learning to launch with hands-on mentorship and resources. You can read more about it here.
The Final Round Presentations took place in the CUB on Thursday, April 25, 2024
Student teams presented their business ideas and competed for cash and in-kind prizes totaling $86,000 at the Business Plan Competition 2024, hosted by the WSU Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE).
Two hundred thirty-six students from nine WSU colleges, six universities, and six high schools across Washington and Idaho formed 118 venture teams that competed in three different leagues. The unique venture teams represented a wide variety of academic majors and programs of study including arts and sciences, natural resource sciences, veterinary medicine, neuroscience, global challenges, communications, business, and more.
The winning College League teams were:
Cordoba, $15,000 Cordoba is an AI plug-in that facilitates communication between architects and clients.
PicsGenie, $10,000 PicsGenie uses AI to allow anyone to customize shirts in under 15 seconds.
Snap Chains, $7,000 Snap Chains is an alternative snow chain designed for instant installation and removal.
Serenity Spaces, $4,000 Serenity Spaces is a furnishing company that allows individuals to rent customized furnishing packages.
Main Street Trader Bar and Grill, $2,000 Main Street Trader Bar and Grill is a restaurant in Vancouver, Washington, offering diverse food, drink, and live entertainment.
For more information and a complete list of winning teams, visit WSU INSIDER
The Final Round Presentations also Include the Trade Show and Awards Dinner on Thursday, April 25, 2024
The following teams in alphabetical order are advancing to the Final Round Presentations:
Cordoba – An AI plug-in for architects that generates editable 3D building models in their native software.
Main Street Trader Bar and Grill – Restaurant
PicsGenie – AI-generated images on products that can be shipped right to your doorstep.
Serenity Spaces – A furnishing company that lets individuals customize furnishing packages to their preferences, with a monthly payment structure allowing you to rent for the length of the lease.
Snap Chains – Quicker and safer alternative to snow chains, instant application and removal.
Alternate:
Anlibri – An app that gives users the ability to build and customize their virtual bookshelf, while recommending new books to readers. Works as a book log, recognizes unpublished works and integrates a social platform to allow readers to connect with others.
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About BPC: The WSU Business Plan Competition (BPC) is organized by the WSU Center for Entrepreneurial Studies to create opportunities to practice entrepreneurship in a real-world setting. The BPC gives students skills, knowledge, and resources to start their own ventures or be intrepreneurial leaders in existing organizations.
About CfE: The Center for Entrepreneurship is an innovation resource hub; promoting entrepreneurial engagement, scholarship and dialog.
April 15, 2024 is the deadline to RSVP for the Awards Dinner!RSVP HERE
Look for updates here or HERE on the 19th to see who is advancing to the Final Round!
The entire list of Presentation Round Winners are:
TOP COLLEGIATE LEAGUE TEAMS ADVANCING TO THE FINAL PRESENTATION ROUND
Anlibri – An app that gives users the ability to build and customize their virtual bookshelf, while recommending new books to readers. Works as a book log, recognizes unpublished works and integrates a social platform to allow readers to connect with others.
Blink Box – Lash supply subscription box.
Build-A-Drink – Machine that create alcoholic beverages quickly and with perfect pours. In-home and commercial.
Coleman Leather Goods – Producing high-quality leather goods, such as wallets, belts, bags, notebooks, and patches.
Cordoba – An AI plug-in for architects that generates editable 3D building models in their native software.
FindMyFit – An app and browser extension that shows which sizes across brands fits you based on your body type.
Homestay Worldwide –
Honest Buds – SaaS company offers dispensaries a software for their budtenders to generate product descriptions that consumers find helpful in identifying a product’s quality.
Main Street Trader Bar and Grill – Restaurant
OC Exterior Solutions – California-based company offering year-round exterior solutions for properties with convenient seasonal packages and accurate pricing for pressure washing and property lighting services.
PicsGenie – AI-generated images on products that can be shipped right to your doorstep.
Plaitful – AI recipe and meal plan generator app.
REFRSH – A social platform incentivizing young adults to engage in real-life experiences while reducing screen time, fostering friendly competition through “REFRSH’ing” periods.
Serenity Spaces – A furnishing company that lets individuals customize furnishing packages to their preferences, with a monthly payment structure allowing you to rent for the length of the lease.
Snap Chains – Quicker and safer alternative to snow chains, instant application and removal.
Squeeze – App that provides available street and garage parking, high traffic areas and events in large cities.
The Kitchen Collab – App that streamlines group living by combining meal planning and grocery shopping, making it easier for housemates to save money, split expenses and avoid duplicate purchases.
TLK – Music distribution and streaming platform offering a subscription based service that includes access to potential marketing initiatives and apparel design.
Tripzy – A travel planning app designed for Generation Z who may procrastinate planning activities while on vacation.
VetCare Assist – Vet assistance financial aid.
ALTERNATIVE TEAMS:
Derivative Zero – To create short term forex forecasting algorithms that can then be subscribed to through API and used by either companies or individual traders looking for a competitive edge.
Speed Angel Customs LLC – Custom automotive shop that aims to modify as well as repair your car the way you want it – totally customizable
TOP FOSTER GARVEY OPEN LEAGUE TEAMS ADVANCING TO THE FINAL PRESENTATION ROUND
City Paws (University of Washington) – Sustainable pet products
Happy Pop (University of Washington – Seattle) – A product that transports the authentic flavors of India through popped sorghum, a snack that has been popular for centuries. This cultural snack is an alternative to popcorn.
Sustainable Classrooms: Project Laos (University of Idaho) – A pioneering nonprofit organization dedicated to revolutionizing education and environment stewardship in rural communities across Laos. By transforming recycled plastics into durable bricks, we offer a groundbreaking eco-friendly solution to build educational infrastructure.
WRIST: Wearable Remote Individualized Symptom Tracking (University of Idaho) – Medically oriented remote symptom and biometrics monitoring bracelet.
ALTERNATIVE TEAMS:
Afford Aid (University of Washington – Seattle) – Reusable, refurbished, authorized medical equipment.
BioNova (Walla Walla University) – Building a better future through sustainable energy. Scalable Bioreactors for Bio-Methane gas production, fertilizer, and carbon credits in Africa and South America.
TOP HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE TEAMS ADVANCING TO THE FINAL PRESENTATION ROUND
7b Surf Co. (Mead Senior High School) – 7b Surf is a local business that gives surf lessons to people who live or vacation in the Sandpoint area. We provide a boat and all the equipment.
EcoTrail (Mead Senior High School) – EcoTrail is an accessible hiking trail app that allows you to preview your trail before you hike it.
Protein Palace (Mercer Island High School) – A fast, casual restaurant specializing in high-protein, high-calorie bowls for those wishing to reach their fitness goals.
Team Kamea (East Valley High School) – A business idea for a bakery named Kamea Cakes.
Victoria Paints (Pullman High School) – A local painting business that provides the best solution for blank walls.
ALTERNATIVE TEAMS:
antisquo (Bellevue High School) – Online dashboard using a student’s (user provided) interests and goals, along with their school district catalog to formulate a high school pathway that provides unique recommendations for classes.
Simpl Protein (Mead Senior High School) – Simpl Protein cookies are an all natural, gluten-free, protein bar alternative made without any artificial sweeteners.
All the best to the teams presenting!
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About BPC: The WSU Business Plan Competition (BPC) is organized by the WSU Center for Entrepreneurial Studies to create opportunities to practice entrepreneurship in a real-world setting. The BPC gives students skills, knowledge, and resources to start their own ventures or be intrepreneurial leaders in existing organizations.
About CfE: The Center for Entrepreneurship is an innovation resource hub; promoting entrepreneurial engagement, scholarship and dialog.
RSVP before April 15 to reserve your spot at the 2024 Business Plan Competition Dinner from 5-8pm, Thursday April 25, 2024
Last chance to RSVP for the Awards Dinner!RSVP HERE
We hope you will join us at the 2024 BPC Awards Dinner following the Final Presentation Round and trade show reception on the WSU Pullman campus in the Senior Ballroom of the Compton Student Union Building.
At the awards dinner you will enjoy a keynote address and find out who will emerge as winners.
Please note that everyone attending the Awards Dinner should RSVP, including students, monitors and coordinators, advisors etc.
About BPC: The WSU Business Plan Competition (BPC) is organized by the WSU Center for Entrepreneurial Studies to create opportunities to practice entrepreneurship in a real-world setting. The BPC gives students skills, knowledge, and resources to start their own ventures or be intrepreneurial leaders in existing organizations.
About CfE: The Center for Entrepreneurship is an innovation resource hub; promoting entrepreneurial engagement, scholarship and dialog.
You are invited to attend the EFA Nights at the Museum at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at WSU Pullman on Tuesday, April 9th, 5 – 6:30 PM. Welcome remarks to be given by Paul Warner, Executive Director of the WSU Center for Entrepreneurship.
Come enjoy complimentary beverages (beer, wine and non-alcoholic), hors d’oeuvres, learn about our activities, meet like-minded peers, see amazing art, and network with people who can support your initiative and advance your efforts. All are welcome to join us — EFA membership is not required!
Interested in learning more about how to present your business at a trade show? It’s an important skill and trade shows might be a bridge to the next level of your business.
With the upcoming BPC Trade Show coming up on April 25, BPC Bites 6 offers presenters the opportunity to understand what goes into a compelling booth.
Register and join other entrepreneurs Thursday, April 11 · 12 – 1pm in the Startup Den – Commons Building 1st Floor at 225 SE Idaho Street.
Come get your insider tips from professionals on successful approaches and ensure you are putting your best foot forward!REGISTER HERE
About BPC: The WSU Business Plan Competition (BPC) is organized by the WSU Center for Entrepreneurial Studies to give students from all majors an opportunity to practice entrepreneurship in a real-world setting. The BPC gives students skills, knowledge, and resources to start their own ventures or be entrepreneurial leaders in existing organizations.
What are Bites?: BPC Bites are informational events hosted by the Center of Entrepreneurship to better inform, prepare, and promote WSU students about the 2024 Business Plan Competition.
About CfE: The Center for Entrepreneurship is an innovation resource hub for students; promoting entrepreneurial engagement, scholarship and dialog across the university.
The 2024 Business Plan Competition (BPC) Teams advancing to Presentation Round have been announced.
BPC is an annual event where entrepreneurs can, “Develop ideas, build a team, write a business plan, pitch your idea for real money.”
Teams advancing to the Presentation Round have submitted one-page executive summaries, will attend a Team Information Night, then submit a full business plan and present to judges on April 19. The top five finalists will pitch at the Final Round of Presentations on April 25, which includes a tradeshow, keynote, and award ceremony.
In addition, the Jones Milestone Accelerator (JMA) will begin accepting applications April 8. JMA is a 10-week program to help student-led ventures includes mentoring, advising and upon successful completion of the program up to $20,000 in non-dilutive funding. Washington State University students (undergraduate, graduate, post-doc) or recent alumni (graduated within the last 5 years) are encouraged to apply!
Congrats to the Winning Teams in the 2024 Business Plan Competition!
The winning College League teams were:
Cordoba, $15,000 Cordoba is an AI plug-in that facilitates communication between architects and clients.
PicsGenie, $10,000 PicsGenie uses AI to allow anyone to customize shirts in under 15 seconds.
Snap Chains, $7,000 Snap Chains is an alternative snow chain designed for instant installation and removal.
Serenity Spaces, $4,000 Serenity Spaces is a furnishing company that allows individuals to rent customized furnishing packages.
Main Street Trader Bar and Grill, $2,000 Main Street Trader Bar and Grill is a restaurant in Vancouver, Washington, offering diverse food, drink, and live entertainment.
For more information and a complete list of winning teams, visit WSU INSIDER
RULES
Eligibility
The WSU Business Plan Competition is open to all Washington State University students who are enrolled in the current spring semester. At least one member of your team must be a full-time undergraduate student. Teams may include graduate students.
The BPC also includes a dedicated league for collegiate teams outside the WSU system. Five teams from other universities will be selected to compete in the Open League. If you are competing in the Open League, please be aware of the procedural differences listed in the competition rules.
To enter the competition, a team must complete the online registration. Teams should include members possessing the essential background to enable the development of a serious business plan. Interdisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged. There is no limit on the number of members; however, only four team members can present in the presentation round. Small teams are recommended.
Competition Rules
Teams must submit all required documentation to advance to each stage of the competition, including a full set of pro-forma financial statements for five (5) years (statement of cash flows with first year by quarter, income statement with first year by quarter, and balance sheet). No exceptions will be made to this policy.
Advancing teams must send at least one team member to the virtual Team Info Session. Remote access will be available on request for teams at other campuses or enrolled online. Open League participants are not required to attend.
Advancing teams must also present in person during the Live Presentation Round of the competition. Only four members of the team will be allowed to present their idea before the judges during the Presentation Round of the competition. Advisors and other team members may observe, but may not participate in any way during the presentation, Q&A, or judges’ feedback session.
The business plan must be developed during the student’s tenure at the university. Students working with outside entrepreneurs must create an original business plan.
The same business idea will not be accepted at the competition more than twice. Repeat submissions after the second attempt will automatically be declined.
All submissions to the Business Plan Competition must live up to the higher ideals of Washington State University. Your idea must be appropriate for a university-sponsored event. The Center for Entrepreneurship reserves the right to disqualify any entry that in its judgment violates the letter or the spirit of the competition or exceeds the bounds of social convention.
Prize money will be divided equally among all registered team members.
Preparation
We encourage all BPC teams to attend Resource Nights, a series of speaker sessions that bring in experts from WSU’s business community to discuss various aspects of starting and launching a venture. Offered throughout the spring semester, these sessions are open to all students and the public and are available online. Open League participants are encouraged to watch Resource Night sessions as they prepare.
COMPETITION ROUNDS
Virtual Screening Round
The Screening Round is the first stage in the competition. Submit your 1-page executive summary online for scoring by our judges. 20 Collegiate League teams and five Open League teams will be selected from the Screening Round applicants to move forward to the virtual Presentation Round.
After the Screening Round, you’ll receive an email listing the teams that will advance to the Virtual Presentation Round on the day of the Business Plan Competition. If your team is selected, you will need to submit your full business plan (4-7 pages), financial statements, and pitch deck (10-15 slides) by the deadline in the BPC schedule.
Collegiate League teams are divided up into five leagues; each league includes four teams. The Open League will include the five teams selected to participate in this round.
During the Presentation Round, each team delivers a business plan pitch to a panel of judges, following the schedule below:
FORMAT/TIMING
Tech Transition: 5 minutes
Team Set-up: 5 minutes
Presentation: 15 minutes
Q & A: 15 minutes
Judges Feedback: 5 minutes
Presenting teams are evaluated both on their written plan and their presentations. Judging criteria include team presentation and style, the customer problem, solution, value proposition, competitive advantages, market and sales strategy, management, financials and offering, and investment analysis. Judges choose the top team in each Collegiate League to advance to the final round. The winning Open League team is selected during this round.
Competition organizers announce the top five Collegiate League teams that will advance to the final round.
HOW THE FINAL ROUND WORKS
Finalist Collegiate League teams present by a live panel of judges and a live audience who have no prior knowledge of their plans and have not seen their earlier presentations, following the schedule below:
Set up: 5 minutes
Presentation: 15 minutes
Questions and feedback: 10 minutes
Trade Show
All participants including High School and Open League participants will present their business during a cocktail hour Trade Show in the Senior Ballroom before the Awards Ceremony and dinner. This is a great opportunity for teams to network with and meet judges from all of the leagues.
COMPETITION AWARDS DINNER
All participants and judges are invited to join the Awards Ceremony and Dinner where competition organizers will host a Key Note speaker, award Merit Prizes, and announce the winning teams from all leagues.
Important Dates
Team Registration Opens: January 17, 2024 Team Registration Deadline: March 8, 2024 Executive Summary Due: March 22, 2024 Business Plan & Slide Deck Due: April 12, 2024 Business Plan Competition Presentation Round: April 19, 2024 Business Plan Competition Finals Round: April 25, 2024
Christopher Larsen of Totally Rad Pretzels, Third Place Winner, presenting at the WSU 2023 BPC
Central Solutions Platform Team, Fifth Place Winners, Speaking at the 2023 BPC Trade Show with Jeff Baker
Small App Team, Second Place Winners, at the WSU 2023 BPC Trade show
U-Shield Team, Fourth Place Winners, Co-Winners for BPC 2023 Best Social Impact Business, With Herbert B. Jones Sponsor Representatives Terry Smith, Mandy Ho, and Dean Chip Hunter (on the right)
Ownership and Disclosure
All participants own the rights to their ideas.
Contestants must properly acknowledge any trademarks or copyrighted materials of others that are incorporated into the contestants’ materials. The contestants are responsible for obtaining any necessary permission before incorporating such materials into their submissions. Once materials are submitted, Washington State University and its schools and colleges reserve the right to publish information about the contestants’ work in university publications and to release information to the news media. The judging/presentation will be conducted in an open meeting with possible attendance by faculty, students and staff as well as media representatives and the general public.
Patents
Where applicable, contestants may choose to file patent applications on their own or to disclose their inventions to the Washington State University Research Foundation before or after the competition. Submission of an idea to the competition should be considered a public disclosure of the idea. (In some countries, patent applications must be filed prior to disclosure. In the U.S. inventors generally have one year after disclosure in which to file patent applications.)* Ultimately, protection of sensitive materials is the sole responsibility of the individual or team participating in the competition. *The Competition Rules are based in part on those of the University of Wisconsin Madison, University of Washington, and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNING TEAMS IN THE 2024 BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION!
The winning College League teams were:
Cordoba, $15,000 Cordoba is an AI plug-in that facilitates communication between architects and clients.
PicsGenie, $10,000 PicsGenie uses AI to allow anyone to customize shirts in under 15 seconds.
Snap Chains, $7,000 Snap Chains is an alternative snow chain designed for instant installation and removal.
Serenity Spaces, $4,000 Serenity Spaces is a furnishing company that allows individuals to rent customized furnishing packages.
Main Street Trader Bar and Grill, $2,000 Main Street Trader Bar and Grill is a restaurant in Vancouver, Washington, offering diverse food, drink, and live entertainment.
For more information and a complete list of winning teams, visit WSU INSIDER
2024 WSU Business Plan Competition is Continuing as Hybrid
If you’re a student entrepreneur or aspiring business owner, the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies presents the WSU Business Plan Competition – an unparalleled opportunity to practice entrepreneurship in a real-world setting and receive guidance as you launch a new venture, plus a chance to win thousands of dollars in prize money!
The Center for Entrepreneurial Studies is happy to announce that the 2024 WSU Business Plan Competition will still be happening, switching to a hybrid format. Participating in a business plan competition can be a rewarding experience and we are excited to continue to showcase student innovation!
Learn by Doing
Sharpen skills. Working on a business plan team develops innovative thinking, builds leadership, and refines communication skills.
Network. If you’re a finalist, you and your team will present your idea to investors, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals at the competition in April. Finalists also have the opportunity to exchange ideas with judges over dinner.
Prepare for your future. Take what you’ve learned and apply it in an existing company or new venture.
Launch a New Venture
Move from idea to execution. Develop, test, and pitch a startup idea with your own team.
Get advice and mentoring. Seasoned entrepreneurs, industry experts, and entrepreneurship faculty mentors devote countless hours to help students navigate the entrepreneurial process.
Build momentum. Take your experience in the competition and invest in the growth of your venture.
Herbert B. Jones Grand Prize – $15,000
Herbert B. Jones Second Place Prize – $10,000
Third Place Prize – $7,000
Fourth Place Prize – $4,000
Fifth Place Prize – $2,000
Open Collegiate League
Foster Garvey Grand Prize – $5,000
High School League
Herbert B. Jones Grand Prize – $5,000
Second Place Prize – $2,000
Third Place Prize – $1,000
Fourth Place Prize – $500
Fifth Place Prize – $250
Merit Prizes
BECU Best FinTech Venture Prize – $5,000
Sage Fruit Ag Innovation Prize – $3,000
Herbert B. Jones Best Written Plan Prize – $2,500
Herbert B. Jones Best Presentation Prize – $2,500
Herbert B. Jones Best Tech Venture Prize – $2,500
Herbert B. Jones Best Social Impact Venture Prize – $2,500
BEST Trade Show – $500
Thank you, 2024 Sponsors!
Partner
Investor
Dave Divine
Angel
Friend
The Robert & Carolyn Wolfe Family Giving Fund
Dave & Deborah Grant
Mark Wuotila
Bryan Saftler
The Business Plan Competition is critically important for helping people to turn ideas into reality. I am excited to volunteer as a judge to support the competition and the Center, now that I am on the other side.— Jonah Friedl , NOMAD founder and WSU alumnus (Carson College of Business, Entrepreneurship – 2016)
