The eleventh-annual New Venture Challenge out of Central Michigan University’s Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship brought student innovators to Mount Pleasant, vying for more than $60,000 in prizes and services.
On April 21, Bayle Golden, a graduate student in engineering management, and Rourke Sylvain, Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization president and biomedical engineering student, pitched their innovations on the big stage, each placing in the seven-minute category:
First Place Social Mission, Best Overall Venture
Bayle Golden was awarded first place in the Social Mission category along with $10,000. Golden brought home an additional $10,000 in funding for Best Overall Venture, bringing her total net to $20k!
Golden’s STEMPOWER is an integrative STEM experience for girls, offering a line of toys and an online STEM community.
“We believe that we can change the STEM landscape and empower an entire generation of youth.”
Third Place–High-Tech, High-Growth
For third place, Rourke Sylvain was selected in the High-Tech, High-Growth category, receiving a $2,000 investment. Sylvain’s pitch–imi (integrated molecular innovations)–is an electrochemical biosensor for T4 detection.
“imi revolutionizes health care by eliminating the need for centralized clinical testing. We develop bio-wearable devices providing patients the ability to continuously monitor hormone levels.”
The gala event is the result of ongoing collaboration between MTU and CMU, providing students from both universities the opportunity to present their new ventures and to network with prospective investors, mentors, and partners. As preparation for the experience, Huskies engaged in Husky Innovate workshops and prep sessions.
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.