The University of Washington 2012 Business Plan Competition had a record 101 student teams representing colleges and universities across Washington State. Over 100 judges, sponsors, volunteers, and faculty came from Bainbridge Graduate Institute, Eastern Washington, Evergreen, Gonzaga, Northwest University, Seattle Pacific, Seattle University, University of Washington, University of Washington Bothell, Walla Walla Community College, and Washington State University.
Winners in the cleantech sector included the following:
$25,000 WRF Capital Grand Prize: UrbanHarvest, UW, will grow the healthiest, tastiest, and most environmentally-sustainable produce available anywhere, all on a rooftop near you. Chris Bajuk, MBA/M.S. Real Estate and Chris Sheppard, MBA/Juris Doctorate.
$5,000 Herbert B. Jones Finalist Prize: Biking Billboards, UW, a new kind of mobile advertising combining billboards pulled on bicycle trailers with savvy and engaging brand ambassadors to promote our client’s messages. Curtis Howell, UG Entrepreneurship, Informatics; Claire Koerner, UG Entrepreneurship; Andrea Lieberman; and Alyssa Norwood.
Gist Best Consumer Product Idea: GroBox, UW, aims to make it super easy to grow your own fruits and vegetables in a small amount of space. Amador Abreu, TMMBA; Jared McInelly, TMMBA; Aaron Parsley, TMMBA; Steve Stroberger, TMMBA; and Murat Yanar, TMMBA.
Perkins Coie Best Innovation Idea: SuperCritical Technologies, UW, provides a compact power solution that will revolutionize the way we generate and distribute electricity. Chal Davidson, Evening MBA; Max Effgen, Evening MBA; Nico Spitz, Evening MBA; Brooke Macomber; and Josh Walter.
Sensors in Motion Best Sustainable Advantage Idea: Barrels of Hope, UW, provides safe, affordable, and sustainable permanent shelter solutions to disaster victims and citizens of developing nations. Sloan DuRoss, MBA; Sarah Jeglum, MBA; Corina Popescu, BS Civil Engineering; Ryan Scott, MBA; Sushant Wad, MBA; and Travis Corigliano.
Fenwick & West Best Clean-Tech Idea: UrbanHarvest, UW, will grow the healthiest, tastiest, and most environmentally-sustainable produce available anywhere, all on a rooftop near you. Chris Bajuk, MBA/M.S. Real Estate and Chris Sheppard, MBA/JD.