MARQUETTE, Mich.—Jacob Yoho, a December 2013 business management graduate from Negaunee, won first prize in the seventh annual New Business Venture Competition at Northern Michigan University. His business proposal was Snaptanx, post-surgical recovery garments for breast cancer patients.
“Having gone through the College of Business fully prepared me for the competition,” Yoho said. “I was able to utilize all of the skills I have attained from my education. There were many great ideas and I know it wasn’t easy for the judges to pick a winner. Competition brings out the best in people.”
Nicholas Lefebre, a December 2013 graduate in entrepreneurship from Marquette, won second place for Torched Vines, Wines and Spirits. His business would sell small-batch artesian bourbon, vodka and hand-crafted wines.
Corey Engelhart, a master’s in business administration student from Marquette, Mich., won third place U.P. Coding School, a web development academy. Linaye Whitehead, a senior psychology major from Litchfield, Mich., took fourth place and earned her business PetScape, which provides safe care-giving to pets.
Rebekah Tadych, a senior marketing major from Hazlehurst, Wis., was named the best trade show display for her business United Tastes, which serves ready-to-go meals by the pound. Chloe MacBeth, a MBA student from Toronto, Calif., was named the best elevator pitch for her business Up Dog, a canine center promoting healthy lifestyle and total wellness.
The total prize value for the top three finishers—including cash prizes, financial/legal consulting and technology support—was $7,750 for first place, $4,000 for second and $2,200 for third. Best trade fair display and elevator pitch each earned $500 cash awards. All six finalists received business consultation from the College of Business faculty.
The New Business Venture Competition is designed to encourage entrepreneurial activism among students. It recognizes and rewards those who present detailed plans for designing and creating new business enterprises, drawing on their own ideas and inventions or those others. The yearlong event begins in October with the submission of business ideas.
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Pictured (from left): Nicholas Lefebre of Torched Vines and Wines (2nd place business plan); Jacob Yoho, Snaptanx (1st place business plan); Chloe MacBeth, Pawsitive Strides (best elevator pitch); Rebekah Tadych, United Tastes (best trade show display); and Corey Engelhart of U.P. Coding (3rd place business plan). Not shown is Linaye Whitehead of PetScape (4th place business plan).
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