ERC hosts entrepreneur symposium
FOR RELEASE: Thursday, May 3, 2007
Huntington, Ind.-The Enterprise Resource Center at Huntington University hosted 140 Huntington North High School students on April 26 for an entrepreneur symposium. The focus of this symposium was to introduce the students to the fun side of entrepreneurship. The day was broken out into three sessions. These sessions included activities and creatively thinking about how to "upgrade" or "enhance" an MP3 player. One session focused on looking for problems, pains, unfilled wants or unmet needs in the marketplace. The students had opportunities to brainstorm ideas of a product or service. They then presented their ideas to a panel of judges. During the lunch session, the students heard from entrepreneur Brady Smekens of Smekens Educational Consulting.
Facilitators for the day included
Perry Collins, Huntington University and president of Roanoke Town Council
Wil Kline, National City Bank
Bill Zimmer, WA Zimmer and the Party Shop
Steve Franks, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center
Remound Wright, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center
Chris Pelz, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center
Judges for the day included
Darlene Stanley, Johnson Junction
Dick Poole, retired
Carol Pugh, Huntington County United Economic Development Corporation
John Niederman, Pathfinder Services
Kathy Elmore, The Country Post
Rick Beemer, Parkview Huntington Hospital
Dave Mettler, Mettler Insurance
Cindy Willour, IMCO
Ned Kiser, Asian Access
Jeremy Rufener, Huntington University
Tammy Butts, OCRA
Bob Brown, Huntington County Chamber of Commerce
The event was sponsored by HCUED Venture Works, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center, Huntington University and the Huntington County Commissioners. Funding was provided by grants from Duke Energy and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). Additional funding was provided by various businesses within Huntington County.
The winner for the Best Business Concept and Presentation was
PinPointer Personal
Justin Barber
Matt Dunn
John Sober
Grant Pegan
Second place was
Peanut Butter
Holly Burton
Ashley Green
Brent Lederle
Nathan Rudicel
Adam Wisialowski
Third place was
A.N.D. (Automated Note-taking Device)
Evan Bonifas
Caty Eisenhauer
Gina Krauter
Amanda Pugh
Bradley Vogeleman
Best Idea Concept was
GPS Mower
Nicholas Alles
Hannah Downey
Anthony Hull
Ashlee Murrill
Jess Souers
Outstanding Students were
Nathan Rudicel
Marc Reust
Alicia Aldridge
Hannah Downey
Peter Berghoff
Alex Bush
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