OSU fields half the semifinalists in statewide Governor's Cup competition
Friday, March 24, 2006
Six OSU teams have earned a place among the 12 undergraduate semifinalists vying
for $104,000 in cash prizes in the statewide Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Collegiate
Business Plan Competition.
Dr. Joe Wilkie, associate professor of business administration, OSU-OKC, is faculty
adviser for four of the six teams, which will make their oral presentations in the
final phase of the competition on April 7 in Oklahoma City. Dr. Tom Brown, Ardmore
professor of business administration and associate professor of marketing, OSU-Stillwater,
and Eve Dobkins-Ash, OSU-Tulsa are the advisers for the other semifinalist teams.
To reach the semifinals, each team submits a business plan for seed, start-up or
early-stage venture and addresses all phases of the plan, including implementation.
The plan is evaluated by a panel of judges representing a wide array of industries
including successful entrepreneurs, professional services providers, venture capitalists
and angel investors.
The following is a list of OSU semifinalist teams with the title of their business
plan along with a short description of their start-up.
Undergraduate Division Semifinalists from OSU
APF : Oklahoma State University – OKC; faculty adviser: Joe Wilkie; students: Sean E. Choate,
team leader; and James D. Clanahan. American Pet Finders offers the safest and most
innovative GPS tracking for animals, which includes an implant, hand held devices,
and services offered with product.
Backhouse Professionals: Oklahoma State University – Tulsa; faculty adviser: Eve Dobkins-Ash; student: Daniel
Regan, team leader. Backhouse Professionals was created with the intent of helping
home owners generate long-term positive cash flow as well as help blighted neighborhoods
clean up and reinvent their image.
Cold Bottle Designs: Oklahoma State University – Stillwater; faculty adviser: Dr. Tom Brown; students:
Joseph Pruitt, team leader; and Blake Ferrell. Cold Bottle Designs unique technology offers an environmentally friendly disposable
bottle for the beverage industry that provides up to 150 percent added insulation
with no additional manufacturing costs.
Detect First, Inc.: Oklahoma State University – OKC; faculty adviser: Joe Wilkie; students: Robert W.
Kuester, team leader; and Brett Beesley. Detect First, Inc. was formed to develop
processes for production of next generation infrared detection components used in
military, biomedical, safety, and quality control equipments.
Enhanced Optics, Inc.: Oklahoma State University – OKC; faculty adviser: Joe Wilkie; students: Dustin White,
team leader; Cody Haddock, and Brian Collier. Enhanced Optics, Inc. provides an innovative
and technologically superior optic device for the United States Department of Defense
and the law enforcement community. Accu-Shot is a combination range finder and rifle
scope in one innovative unit capable of calculating distance, wind direction and speed
to ensure accuracy.
Intellitech: Oklahoma State University – OKC; faculty adviser: Joe Wilkie; student: Jeffrey Johnson,
team leader. Intellitech has developed the concept of an Electronic Personal Fitness
Training Device (iFitness), which is an iPod personal fitness trainer with heart rate
monitor. This software and peripheral device will replace conventional fitness instructors
with personalized exercise workouts on the Apple iPod mp3 player.
In the upcoming final phase of the competition, each team will have 20 minutes to
present its business plan and another 20 minutes fielding questions from the judges.
The undergraduate finalists will be announced during the Governor’s Cup reception
to be held at the Presbyterian Health Foundation Conference Center the evening of
April 7.
An awards gala, honoring the winning teams in both undergraduate and graduate divisions
will be held April 20. The first place team in each division will receive $20,000
cash, second place $10,000, and third place $5,000. Advisers also will receive a cash
award.
For reservation information for the April 7 reception or to purchase tickets for
the April 20 awards gala, contact Sarah Seagraves, director of marketing, i2E, Inc.,
at (405) 235-2305 or e-mail sseagraves@i2E.org. Complete program information can be
found at www.dwrgovernorscup.org.