A QR-based platform that helps students discover trending spots, real-time deals and social connections near campus earned the top prize at Wright State University\u2019s annual Wright Venture competition.<\/p>\n
Five Wright State University students pitched original business ideas to a panel of experts \u2014 and competed for $5,000 in startup funding \u2014 during\u00a0Wright Venture<\/a>, the annual entrepreneurial competition hosted by the\u00a0Raj Soin College of Business<\/a>.<\/p>\n The event took place on Wednesday, April 15, in the Rike Hall Lobby with<\/p>\n Aeshani Kumar, a graduate student in marketing analytics and insights<\/a>, won $5,000 in startup funding for her business concept, Local Vibes, after pitching to a panel of industry experts on April 15 in the Rike Hall Lobby.<\/p>\n \u201cWright State makes sure that every student has the platform to really push their ambitions and take it forward,\u201d said Kumar.<\/p>\n Modeled after the reality television program \u201cShark Tank,\u201d Wright Venture gives students in an opportunity to present original business plans to a panel of experienced executives, called the Wolves, who evaluate each idea and provide feedback. This year\u2019s judges were Lesley Ott, chief operating officer at James Investment Research; Jonah Sandler, founder and president of Escena Investments; Beth Savage, former owner and CEO of PQ Systems; and Jason Trimbach, chief executive officer at Beyond the Barrier.<\/p>\n The five finalists were selected from 27 applications \u2014 more than double last year\u2019s pool, highlighting growing interest in entrepreneurship across the university.<\/p>\n The other Wright Venture finalists were:<\/p>\n Reaching the finals required more than a good idea. Students honed their plans through workshops on business planning, finance, marketing, operations and effective pitches, helping them develop\u00a0essential elements that entrepreneurs and investors look for in a business plan.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Wright Venture Competition immerses students in hands-on learning as they develop and present business ideas in a competitive environment,\u201d said Dawn Conway, J.D., interim dean of the Raj Soin College of Business. \u201cAlong the way, they sharpen their pitching skills and gain practical insight into building a business plan.\u201d<\/p>\n Past Wright Venture winners have gone on to build successful businesses, among them KytchenPulse<\/a>, an AI management platform for restaurants; Absolute Roofing Dayton<\/a>; Tumble<\/a>, an on-demand laundry and dry-cleaning service; and WrinkleFrinkle<\/a>, a handmade d\u00e9cor and art workshop business.<\/p>\n More information is available at wright.edu\/wrightventure<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A QR-based platform that helps students discover trending spots, real-time deals and social connections near campus earned the top prize at Wright State University\u2019s annual Wright Venture competition. Continue reading \n
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