Four Teams Win Top Awards
Sixteen of more than 50 teams advanced to the semifinal round of the 2016 Regnier Venture Creation Challenge May 6. Out of that, four teams walked away as the top winners.
Students presented new concepts to local investors, business leaders and entrepreneurs while competing for up to $40,000 in total awards and seed funding. After hearing from each semifinalist group, four teams were selected to compete for the top prize.
In the challenge’s final round, teams presented a more in-depth breakdown of their venture, covering topics such as business model, competitive analysis and financial plans. They also answered additional questions from judges. The finalists were evaluated on their idea’s value proposition, market viability, financial feasibility, ability to execute, likelihood of launch and potential impact.
First place and a $10,000 team award: My Heart Outcomes, whose app utilizes the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire© to create the most efficient method to serially monitor heart failure patients’ quality of life and outcomes.
Second place and a $7,500 team award: Exuma Health LLC, a Missouri-based supplier of innovative health care information technology and solutions that supports insurance companies, hospitals, health care systems and prescription medication consumers.
Third place and a $5,000 team award: Global Security and Intelligence (GSI), LLC a counterintelligence consulting company protecting businesses from threats posed by foreign intelligence entities, international terrorist organizations and the Insider Threat.
Fourth place and a $2,500 team award: Ortho on Demand, a venture that uses mobile video technology to provide on demand treatment options for activity related injuries and pain, providing peace of mind for parents of active children, young adults, sports teams and schools.
“The four finalists represented a diversity of ventures but all reflected hard work and dedication to become a successful business that will add to the Kansas City economy,” said Jeff Hornsby, Ph.D., director, the Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Each semifinalist group received a $1,000 team prize. Four additional specialty awards were given to teams who excelled in specific areas of the competition. Each specialty award resulted in a $500 team prize.
- Outstanding Business Plan: Rehab360
- Outstanding Elevator Pitch: My Heart Outcomes
- Outstanding Venture Expo: Ortho on Demand
- MU’s Entrepreneurship Scholars and Interns Program Award: Pennez
The Regnier Venture Creation Challenge is supported by the Regnier Family Foundations and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.