Seven student groups from UNLV have been named finalists in the Donald W. Reynolds Governor's Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition, a statewide contest that encourages students to use their ingenuity to create tomorrow's businesses.
The UNLV teams are among 12 finalists selected to compete for the Governor's Cup. This year's contest drew 43 teams from Nevada's public and private colleges and universities.
The winners will be announced April 17 in Reno. The first, second and third place winners in the graduate and undergraduate categories will receive $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000, respectively. First and second place winners in each category also will compete in the tri-state awards in May and have a chance to win nearly $60,000. Students in the competition also gain access to successful entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders from across the state.
UNLV Finalists
Graduate Teams:
GovernSocial.com - GovernSocial.com is a personalized, online social network that connects citizens with local and national elected officials. The company's goal is to reinvent citizen participation in government. Jason Alt, a UNLV management information systems major, and Lukas Johnson are co-founders.
ProStem Solutions, Inc. - ProStem Solutions, Inc. collects and stores clients' dental stem cells that can be used in case of future injury or illness. The cells could be used to grow tissue for vital organs. The company is a collaboration between the UNLV School of Dental Medicine and students in the MBA/New Venture Certificate program. The company's founder is Dr. Happy Ghag, an alumnus and orthodontic resident of UNLV's dental school.
Webraind Corp. - Webraind is a web development company focused on creating Webraind.com, a social quiz website where knowledge is stored, rewarded and shared. Using multiple choice questions, users can categorize, quantify and test their knowledge on the information they gain online and store it on their customized Webraind account. Team members are: UNLV hotel college student Patrik Balin, Mragendra Singh, Caitlin Kelly and Micah Lapping-Carr.
Undergraduate Teams:
DYNAMEND - DYNAMEND's product line, Motion Genius, consists of four wearable technologies that are designed to track bodily motion during outpatient rehabilitation. These devices and the accompanying software are essential in connecting physical therapists and patients via the company's website, motiongeniusconnect.com. Through an uplink to their physical therapists, patients can ask questions, receive feedback, and provide data necessary for their rehabilitation. Team members are: Daniel Dinev, a UNLV major in accounting, Gregory Wingert, a UNLV marketing major, and Vlad Zhitny, a UNLV biology major.
Tread Control - Tread Control is a technology company that allows auto service providers to give drivers a detailed description of their personal tire tread wear. This predictive technology would be based solely on the individual driver, making the experience personal for each customer. Team members are: Matt Viton, a UNLV mechanical engineering major, and Kevin Curry, a UNLV accounting major.
Fetch Bud - Fetch Bud, LLC is a startup company that sells robotic balls for dogs controlled by smartphone technology. Fetch Bud is designed to create a new method of play that enhances dog owners' interaction with their pets. Team members are: Sean Cortney, a UNLV history major, Nicky Huynh, a UNLV computer science student, and Randy Huynh, a UNLV computer science student.
Purality - The mission of Purality is to provide an all-natural disinfectant as a viable option for people who want an environmentally friendly solution for disinfecting surfaces. Purality is designed to be an alternative to typical kitchen disinfectants that is affordable and safe for use near meat and fresh produce. Team members are: Alora Gillogly, a UNLV international business student, and Rubisel Benitez, a UNLV radiography student.
All UNLV undergraduate team members are part of the Global Entrepreneurship Experience program in the Lee Business School. The program is open to all majors and helps students gain the tools needed to be entrepreneurial in their chosen professions.
