The Panasci Business Plan Competition is a campus-wide student business plan event designed to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit of our students as they create growth-oriented business models at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. For many participants this is their first real opportunity to pitch their ideas, and for those with more developed businesses, it is an opportunity to further refine their product and get feedback from successful business professionals.
2018 COMPETITION RESULTS
1st Place ($20,000): In-Spire
Team members: Kayla Simon and Elizabeth Tarangelo (pictured above)
About: The company In-Spire intends to be the first company to produce an asthma inhaler bracelet. Their goal is to make medications more accessible, stylish and easier to take on-the-go.
2nd Place ($7,500): WAYV
Team members: Julia Haber, Mitchel Myers, Alex Hively, Dylan Gans, and Sarah Mathews
About: WAYV addresses a void in the current brand marketing paradigm by facilitating an experiential connection between brands and college students through a unique pop-up shop experience.
3rd Place ($2,500): Miruku
Team members: Thuy Nguyen and Giorgio Parlato
About: Miruku has developed a unique. exotic product, peanut milk. It is a beverage made with sustainable ingredients and along with its refreshing taste, has more protein than other non-dairy milk types.
Gilded Social Rising Entrepreneur Award ($5,000): WAYV
About the Award: This award is given to a team with a current Syracuse University student who has started their own business and has customers using their product or service.
Fetner Prize in Sustainable Enterprises($5,000): Miruku
About the Award: This award is given to the most sustainable business idea in the competition.
Student CNY Business Start-Up Award ($3,000): Miruku
About the Award: A top team who is a Whitman student or has a Whitman student on the team.
Carol Nulman Social Enterprise Award ($1,000): Taste Buddy
About the Award: This award is given to a team with a member that is a current student from the Whitman School of Management who best embraces the spirit of social entrepreneurship, with a focus on helping others and providing social good.
Team Members: Daniel Fridliand, William De La Vera, Nicole Kibler, and Refjola Malushi
About: Taste Buddy is a natural supplement consisting of nasal spray and strips. It utilizes OTF technology, which allows for direct contact with the nose and tongue, promoting faster absorption of nutrients.
Female Founders: Kayla Simon, Elizabeth Tarangelo and Julia Haber
Distinguished achievement award winners also included:
- Quentin Rosso, Student Entrepreneur of the Year
- Daniel Friedland, Undergraduate Excellence in Entrepreneurship
- Thuy Nguyen and Giorgio Parlator, Graduate Excellence in Entrepreneurship
- Amanda Rylee, Student Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year Award
- Logan Bonney, Young Alumni Excellence in Entrepreneurship
- El Java Abdul-Qadir, Dedication to Entrepreneurship Award
- Bill Walsh, Dedication to Entrepreneurship Award
- John Torrens, EEE Faculty Member of the Year Award
- Amanda Nicholson, George R. Burman Award for Entrepreneurial Leader
Congratulations to all the winning teams and thanks to the judges and mentors that made this event possible.
Read more at: https://whitman.syr.edu/newsroom/