ESU’s Division of Research and Economic Development Hosts its Third Annual Student Business Plan Competition

Posted by: admin on December 12, 2013, No Comments

Business-Competition1East Stroudsburg University’s awards reception for the Student Business Plan Competition was Tuesday, November 21, at the Innovation Center. From left to right are: Chris Landino, ESU’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Center coordinator, Cheree Warrick, who was the keynote speaker and author of “Creating Business Plans that Actually Get Financed,” Ricardo Morales, a senior from East Stroudsburg majoring in computer science, Lindsay Kemmlein, a senior from Stroudsburg majoring in computer science, and ESU President Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D. Kemmlein, Ricardo Morales and Jonathan Morales (missing from photo) were the winners for their company, “The First Five Pages.”

Business-Competition2Edmond Hawi, a junior exercise science major from Bryn Mawr, finished second for his company, “Failure 2 Fail.”

Business-Competition3From left to right are: Chris Landino, ESU’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Center coordinator, Cheree Warrick, who was the keynote speaker and author of “Creating Business Plans that Actually Get Financed,” Devon Passman, a junior majoring in business management from Jamison, Pa., who finished third for his company “Passman Productions,” and ESU President Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D.

East Stroudsburg University’s awards reception for the Student Business Plan Competition was Tuesday, November 21, at the Innovation Center. Cheree Warrick, author of “Creating Business Plans that Actually get Financed,” was the keynote speaker.

The winners of the Business Plan competition were announced by Christopher Landino, Coordinator of the ESU Entrepreneurial Leadership Center.  The winners of the competition were the brains behind “The First Five Pages.”  Jonathan Morales, a freshman from East Stroudsburg majoring in computer science, Ricardo Morales, a senior from East Stroudsburg majoring in computer science, and Lindsay Kemmlein, a senior from Stroudsburg majoring in computer science, were the founders of “The First Five Pages,” a company designed around readers discovering the first chapter of a new book.  The website was created for undiscovered fiction authors and provides an opportunity for readers to browse and possibly purchase a new, unheard-of book.  The winners were awarded $3,000 to start up their company.

Second place was awarded to Edmond Hawi, a junior exercise science major from Bryn Mawr, for “Failure 2 Fail,” a company specializing in customizable sportswear featuring positive messages. Third place went to Devon Passman, a junior majoring in business management from Jamison, Pa., for “Passman Productions,” a company designed to work as a self-promotional mechanism for students and athletes looking to continue their education after high school.

This year marked the third Business Plan Competition at East Stroudsburg University.  A total of 13 student-run teams submitted entries.  The competition was sponsored by a Keystone Innovation Network grant funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.