Venture Works awards $10,000 cash prize
FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Huntington, Ind.-Venture Works named Alternative Fuel Solutions the $10,000 winner of its second annual Huntington County Business Plan Competition on Wednesday. The business plan was judged on the overall organization of the plan, the purpose and overall strategy of the business, the innovativeness of the idea, the marketing opportunity available, the management capability of the idea, the investment potential and the financial budget and forecasting of the business.
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"There were great business plans presented today," said John Niederman, judge and chair of Venture Works. "The quality of the plans were fantastic, and I hope that all of these plans come to fruition."
More than 20 budding entrepreneurs attended workshops with seven business plans submitted for the competition.
Alternative Fuel Solutions by Jason Hoffman, Hal Hoffman and Julia Hoffman
Alternative Fuel Solutions seeks to produce biodiesel for wholesale to customers utilizing used cooking oils.
Harlansburg Tool & Die LLC, Ron Clabaugh and Sandy Clabaugh
Harlansburg Tool & Die seeks to establish a growth-based machine shop dedicated to servicing the needs of the medical and agriculture industry.
Matilda's Tea House & Special Occasions, Jodie Stanley
Matilda's Tea House & Special Occasions will provide a full range of teas, a full lunch menu, gourmet cheesecakes and a selection of gift items.
My Two Boys Company, Shopandselllocal.com, Tina Hosler
Shopandselllocal.com is a web-based company focused on allowing individuals to advertise and sell within our local community.
Nature's Touch, Bethany McGraw
Nature's Touch will be a fast-casual restaurant that caters to the health conscious customer by utilizing all natural ingredients in their simplest form.
NuGreen Energy Solutions LLC, Aaron Campbell, Josh Gooley and Bill Law
NuGreen Energy Solutions seeks to provide clean, renewable energy alternative for home and business owners utilizing photovoltaic technology.
Video Life LLC, Jennifer Kummer
Video Life provides all students the ability to record activities and special moments on video.
All competition entrepreneurs received in-kind services from the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center and a copy of the book "Art of the Start" by Guy Kowasaki.
Judges included Bob Brown of the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce; Ron Coffey, Huntington University; John Niederman, Pathfinder Services; Gary Town, Northeast Indiana Driving Academy; Mark Wickersham, Huntington County United Economic Development Corporation; and Remound Wright, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center.
Additional funding was provided by Bippus State Bank, Culp & Company, First Farmer's Bank & Trust, Johnson Junction, Mignone Communications, United REMC, Community Link Federal Credit Union, First Federal Savings Bank, First Source Bank, Lake City Bank, MarkleBank, Max Garwood, Our Sunday Visitor, Pathfinder Services, Inc., and Wells Fargo Bank.
Venture Works is a resource center for entrepreneurs established by Huntington County United Economic Development (HCUED), in partnership with Huntington University, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC), Huntington County Commissioners, Huntington County Chamber of Commerce and additional funding from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
