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Posted on Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 5:05 a.m.

Paparazzi: EMU students take first and third places in annual Skandalaris Business Plan Competition

By AnnArbor.com Freelance Journalist

A coffee shop designed for busy commuters and a custom shoe company aimed at teens were the big winners at the Fourth Annual Skandalaris Business Plan Competition, held as part of the Sesi Entrepreneurship Conference at Eastern Michigan University Feb. 11.

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The university-level winners of the 2011 Skandalaris Business Plan Competition took home, $1,000, $750, and $500 respectively. Pictured from left are Randy Wiltshire (first place, EMU), Cynthia Finger and Marta Hrecznyj (second place, Wayne State) and Nikole Viltz (third place, EMU.) Finger and Hrecznyj also took home $200 for having the best presentation.

photos courtesy of EMU

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The high school winners took home, $1,000, $750 and $500 respectively. From left, Bobby Knutilla (first place, Huron High School), Sunjay Josyula (second place, Huron High School) and Adriane Rasmussen (third place, Saline High School). Josyula also took home $200 for having the best presentation.

EMU student Randy Wiltshire of Imlay City, Mich. claimed first place in the university category for "Joe to Go" coffee shop, a plan he devised in class at the EMU College of Business. "Joe to Go" is an express-lane restaurant catering to busy professionals who don't have time to go to Starbucks or wait in line at fast food establishments. His advisor was Dr. Diana Wong from the EMU Management Department. Wiltshire claimed $1,000 for placing first.

Two students from Wayne State University placed second for their plan "GreenStart Batteries." Cynthia Finger and Marta Hrecznyj took home $750 for their plan to create an eco-friendly company that would recycle used car batteries and sell back to the consumer. Finger and Hrecznyj also took home $200 for "Best Presentation."

EMU student Nikole Viltz of Aurora, Ill. placed third ($500) for "Scaling Stability," her plan for a customized training center for young gymnasts.

At the high school level, Bobby Knutilla from Ann Arbor Huron High School placed first for "Doodilla Shoes," his idea for shoes to be designed with artwork and sold to teenagers to fit each person's unique style.

Sunjay Josyula, also from Ann Arbor Huron, placed second ($750) for "Synergy Eco-Consulting," a company designed to help ease the confusion consumer's face when seeking to use energy alternatives. Josyula also took home $200 for winning "Best Presentation."

Adriane Rasmussen from Saline High School placed third ($500) "Fresh, Food, Fast," a food truck that would deliver healthy food selections to on-the-go customers. In its fourth year, the Skandalaris Business Plan Competition is unique in it has a university/community college and high school category. Plans were judged by professional business counselors from the Michigan Small Business and Technology Center (MI-SBTDC) and EMU Entrepreneurship Advisory Board members. The competition was re-named in 2010 to honor EMU alumnus Robert Skandalaris; author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

The Competition was held as part of the 14th Annual Sesi Midwest Entrepreneurship Conference Feb. 11. More than 225 students and educators attended the annual conference, which focused on innovation and 'green' entrepreneurs. Hosted by the Collegiate Entrepreneur's Organization of EMU, students manage the conference and secure speakers for the keynote address and break-out sessions.

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