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Marion, IN -- Five students, Alicia Locher, Taylor University, Chris Hoffman, Huntington University, David Gin, Indiana Wesleyan University, David Hutnik, Ball State University, and Jonah McDonough, Anderson University were awarded the $500 gold coin prizes at the I-69 Collegiate Innovation Challenge for their business idea, FlexMed, a company that used the Internet and kiosks to provide video conferences between patients and doctors.
The winning team was one of five teams that competed at the I-69 Collegiate Innovation Challenge this past weekend at Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, Indiana. The teams consisted of one student from each of the represented universities. Students were placed in teams Friday night after taking a problem-solving assessment, which forced them to collaborate on creating a for-profit business solution to a given social problem dealing with healthcare.
"The part I enjoyed the most was coming together with five people from different backgrounds," Indiana Wesleyan University senior Stacey Mathis said. "It gave it great real-life experience."
On Saturday, students presented their solutions to a panel of keynote judges from companies such as Raymond James Financial Group, KPMG, Marion General Hospital, the Grant County Affordable Housing Corporation, the Entrepreneurship Center at Ball State University, Bingham-McHale Attorneys at Law, and the Flagship Enterprise Center. The judges selected a winner based on criteria that considered innovation, profitability, and market potential.
The purpose of this competition is to encourage entrepreneurship along the I-69 corridor, foster collaborative market solutions through team building, promote cross-pollination, and generate creative ideas.
“The Challenge is a fantastic next step in fostering entrepreneurial collaboration among the public and private institutions in the I-69 corridor,” said Mick Bates, the director of the Innovative Enterprises Program at Taylor’s Center for Research and Innovation. “It is my hope this event stimulates our undergraduate students to consider new venture possibilities right here in East Central Indiana.”
The first I-69 Collegiate Innovation Challenge was held in November of 2006. This year, the competition expanded to include Huntington University.
Each university, Duke Energy, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Indiana Michigan Power, Bingham-McHale, Attorney at Law, Indiana Municipal Power Agency, KPMG, the Grant County Economic Growth Council, and the Innovative Network were the key event sponsors.
The Grant County Economic Growth Council has a sole mission of facilitating business investment and reinvestment for job retention and creation in Grant County, Indiana. The Growth Council sees entrepreneurship, especially on the college level, as a key part of their mission.
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