Great Valley Business Plan Competition
Breaker Boy Drums and Percussion took home top honors at the 7th Annual Great Valley Business Plan Competition, held on April 30th at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Scott Carey, a student at King’s College, developed a strategic blueprint for utilizing CAD Software to design and build custom drums. Carey was awarded $20,000 in cash and $30,000 in donated services based on his plan’s ingenuity, technology focus, and commercialization potential.
This year’s second place prize went to Brave Gamer, a plan submitted by Penn State Worthington Scranton’s own Michael Marcos and BPC Alumnae Jim Walker, last year’s second place winner. The pair conceptualized a series of interactive video lessons for students to effectively learn gaming industry standards such as design patterns, revision control, scaling, proper documentation, and server management.
Cognition Media, a plan prepared by Joseph Casabona, Matthew Pfahl, and BPC alumnae Kristen Said, students at the University of Scranton, captured 3rd place. Cognition Media involves the design and development of a content management system specifically for high schools to manage their websites. This technology will allow schools to update and maintain basic information and modify all aspects of their website, including sports, extracurriculars, a web store, alumni relations, and any other needs they might have.
“The Great Valley Business Plan Competition continues to evolve and expand every year,” said Therese Maxfield, GVTA Marketing Director. “Not only do the plans continue to improve but so does the caliber of our students; I believe the success of this year has set a precedent for the years to follow. On behalf of the GVTA, we congratulate our winners and wish them the best of luck as they begin on the road to entrepreneurial success.”
Over 200 attendees gathered at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs for the festivities, enjoying a cocktail hour full of networking with some of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s most prestigious business and academic professionals.
Guests were escorted to the banquet room for an elegant dinner and itinerary featuring emcee Tim Holmes, Regional Director of Marketing for Times Shamrock, an invocation by Father Thomas O’Hara, President of King’s College, and speakers Todd Rehder (Director of Strategic Planning, VaxServe), and a video appearance by Senator Robert Casey. Commissioner Corey’OBrien and State Representative Ken Smith were in attendace, while Senator Casey, Congressman Carney and Congressman Kanjorkski had representatives supporting the event in their absence.
Upon the announcement of his First Place win, Scott Carey gave a heartfelt acceptance speech that moved Carey, his family, and many of the audience members, to tears. It was perhaps the most unforgettable moment of the evening, and a reinforcement of just what the competition stands for, and how it can positively affect the lives of its participants and the region as a whole. “Scott Carey was very emotional and stole the show,” said Robert Watts, Vice President of GVTA. “The crowd was really captivated by his energy and excitement.”
The Great Valley Technology Alliance would like to extend its deepest thanks to all of the proud sponsors who generously contributed to the 7th Annual Business Plan Competition. “The Business Plan Competition is the region’s premier economic development tool,” said Robert Watts. “By leveraging resources at our Institutions of Higher Education and investing real dollars and time into home grown talent, we are creating an entrepreneurial culture and retaining the best and brightest.”
Great Valley Business Plan Competition
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on Feb 28 2011. Filed under Featured, People in Business.
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