Category: Events

Huskies Win at Michigan Collegiate Startup Challenge

Published November 28, 2022

Winners of the Michigan Collegiate Startup Challenge pose with their checks — Jordan Craven (bottom, center) and Rourke (top, left)

By Jessie Stapleton, Shannon Rinkinen

On Friday, November 11, four Huskies representing three teams pitched their business ideas at Michigan State University during the Michigan Collegiate Startup Challenge (MCSC), competing for more than $12,000 in cash prizes. MCSC is Michigan’s university-level business model competition specifically designed for student entrepreneurs across the state. The second-annual MCSC, sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, fosters entrepreneurship by encouraging commercialization of ideas.

Twenty semifinalists representing nine schools pitched their ideas, including the following Michigan Tech teams:

Jordan Craven (management information systems), Tall and Small Designs
Anastasia (Asia) Motta (engineering management) and Zane Smalley (software engineering), The Droplet
Rourke Sylvain (biomedical engineering), Integrated Molecular Innovations

Craven took first place, winning $5,000, for Tall and Small Designs, a retailer software service providing form-fitting mockups of online clothing products for consumers. Sylvain, of Integrated Molecular Innovations, an electrochemical biosensor for at-home detection of T4 thyroid levels, earned fourth place, netting $1,000.

Students spent the first portion of the day pitching their ideas to judges. Ten startups were selected to move to the finalist showcase round.

Hosted by Michigan State, the pitch competition was a collaboration between Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Ferris State University, Kendall College of Art and Design, Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University, Mid-Michigan College, Northern Michigan University, and Wayne State University.

About the College of Business

The Michigan Tech College of Business offers undergraduate majors in accounting, business analytics, construction management, economics, engineering management, finance, management, management information systems, and marketing, as well as a general business option. Graduate degrees include the TechMBA®, a Master of Engineering Management, a Master of Science in Accounting, and a Master of Science in Applied Natural Resource Economics.

College of Business Inducts Four into Academy of Business

Published October 20, 2022

By Shannon Rinkinen

Photo of Dean Johnson and President Koubek with Academy of Business inductees — From left to right: Dean Johnson, Mary Mahaney, Brenda Ryan, Steve Hicks, President Richard Koubek

This was the first Academy of Business induction since 2019.

Michigan Tech’s Academy of Business honors outstanding leaders in business and civic affairs, as well those who have contributed significantly to the growth and development of the College of Business (COB). On October 7, 2022, in the Alumni Lounge of the Memorial Union Building, COB welcomed four new members to this esteemed group.

Business Students Earn First, Third, and Audience Favorite in Idea Pitch Competition

Published October 18, 2022

By Shannon Rinkinen

Students winners of the Idea Pitch Competition pose with certificates. — Winners of the Idea Pitch Competition representing the Michigan Tech College of Business—Alex Bos (second from left); Asia Motta (third from left); and Noel Kamdem-Tegue (third from right)

Congratulations to Idea Pitch Competition winners representing the Michigan Tech College of Business (COB): In first place—Anastasia (Asia) Motta with The Droplet; in third place—Alex Bos with The SELF Couch; and the audience-favorite—Noel Kamdem-Tegue with Black Earth Rising, a food truck.

Huskies Engage at Traverse City during Innovation Week

Published May 11, 2022

By Shannon Rinkinen

As part of Michigan Tech’s Grand Traverse region initiative, Huskies will be active in Traverse City this week (May 9-15) during a series of events to celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship.

Husky Innovate students Bayle Golden (master’s in engineering management) and Rourke Sylvain (biomedical engineering) will pitch their ideas during the TCNewTech University Idea Showcase tomorrow (May 12). On Sunday evening they will pitch again, competing for prizes.

College of Business alumnus and local business owner David McBride ‘82 will serve as a judge of the showcase. This event will be livestreamed via TCNewTech’s Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn channels beginning at 6 p.m. Register to attend virtually or in person.

Golden and Sylvain have engaged in Husky Innovate events including the Bob Mark Business Model Pitch Competition and the New Venture Competition (NVC), where both took top prizes. At NVC, Golden won first place in the Social Mission category and received $10,000 pitching “SafeRow,” an innovative wearable device designed to keep children safe when every second counts. Together, Sylvain and Ali Dabas (biomedical engineering) won second place in the High Tech High Growth category, receiving $5,000. Their pitch, “imi (integrated molecular innovations),” is an electrochemical biosensor for T4 detection.

Husky Innovate is a collaboration between the Pavlis Honors College, the Office of Innovation and Commercialization, and the College of Business.

About the College of Business

2022 Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society Inductees

Published May 5, 2022

By Shannon Rinkinen

Group photo of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society Inductees — 2022 Michigan Tech College of Business Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society Inductees

The Michigan Tech College of Business (COB) inducted 21 Huskies into the Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) honor society on April 4. Founded in 1913, BGS is the international honor society recognizing business excellence. The top 10% percent of undergraduates and the top 20% of master’s students receive the accolade; it’s the highest recognition a business student anywhere in the world can receive at institutions accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

View additional photos of the induction ceremony in COB’s Facebook album.

Congratulations to our newest members of the Michigan Tech chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma:

Chris Arbuckle	Management Information Systems	Lake Orion, MI	Senior
Brendon Cook	Management Information Systems	Hancock, MI	Senior
Ezra Cotter	TechMBA®	Houghton, MI	Graduate student
Jay Czerniak	TechMBA®	Medford, WI	Graduate student
Joseph Gherardi	Accounting	Plainwell, MI	Senior
Josh Golimbieski	Master’s in Engineering Management	Houghton, MI	Graduate student
Anthony Harris	TechMBA®	South Range, MI	Graduate student
Vitor Jordao	Engineering Management	Recife, Brazil	Senior
Michael Karow	TechMBA®	Green Bay, WI	Graduate student
Cedric Keller	Management Information Systems	Gonten, Switzerland	Junior
Emily Kughn	Marketing	Horton, MI	Senior
Benjamin Leinonen	Management	Atlantic Mine, MI	Junior
John Paul Moody	Accounting	Houghton, MI	Junior
Hillary Prout	Accounting	Rosebush, MI	Junior
Henriette Semb	Engineering Management	Asker, Norway	Junior
Jacob Stadwick	Accounting	Auburn Hills, MI	Senior
Ivy Stoller	Accounting	Lowell, MI	Junior
Mehdi Torbat Esfahani	Master’s in Engineering Management	Houghton, MI	Graduate student
Erin Vandenbusch	TechMBA®	Green Bay, WI	Graduate student
Jaxon Verhoff	Marketing	Menasha, WI	Junior
Adam Witkowski	Economics	Victor, NY	Junior

About the College of Business

The Michigan Tech College of Business offers undergraduate majors in accounting, construction management, economics, engineering management, finance, management, management information systems, and marketing, as well as a general business option. Graduate degrees include the TechMBA®, a Master of Engineering Management, a Master of Science in Accounting, and a Master of Science in Applied Natural Resource Economics.

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