Press Release

McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship celebrates new venture teams

Tech support concept tops competition; Apache Junction teen wins Arizona Youth Entrepreneurship Award

	The SkillIT team (left to right): Tyler Hall, BSBA Finance '08; Anna Brauer, BSBA Business Management '08, Eric Wilson, BSBA Finance '08, and (not pictured) Terence Rosen BSBA Management Information Systems '08

TUCSON, Ariz. – April 23, 2008 – The University of Arizona’s McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship at the Eller College of Management closed the academic year on a high note Friday, April 18. The 2008 Spring Venture Development Showcase turned the spotlight on concepts developed by four finalist venture teams, and provided the venue for recognizing three high school students selected as finalists by the Eller College undergraduate program in the second annual Arizona Youth Entrepreneurship Award.

SkillIT, a Web 2.0 community which connects technology-savvy college students with their techno-challenged counterparts, won top honors in the new venture competition. Successfully completing rigorous Idea Path coursework, the scrutiny of McGuire Center mentors, and three rounds of competition, the SkillIT team was given the final nod from competition judges and reigned supreme over 19 teams. Runners up were Cookie Fusion, Fireguard Industries, and UBike Incorporated. The SkillIT team members shared a $1,000 award.

“The Idea Path is a method that mirrors the real-world entrepreneurial process. Students use it to develop all of their innovative concepts,” said Sherry Hoskinson, director of the McGuire Center. “Through their investigative process, the SkillIT team identified the need for affordable computer tech support. Their solution was to connect users in need of support with skilled college students using an intuitive web platform.”

Jason Blevins, a senior at Apache Junction High School in Apache Junction, Ariz., won the second Arizona Youth Entrepreneurship Award. The award was created in 2007 to promote entrepreneurial awareness and education in Arizona’s high schools. Blevins received a monetary award of $2,000 for his business plan for J.B. Music Hut, a retail store targeting customers interested in rock and country music. His shop would sell guitars, drums, strings, and microphones. Blevins and runners-up Cristy Martinez, a junior at Apache Junction High School, and Andres Squire, a junior at Sunrise Mountain High School in Peoria, Ariz., were invited to present their business plans during the Spring Venture Showcase and received coaching during their campus visit.

The 2008 Spring Venture Development Showcase Series was supported by CB Richard Ellis. Winners and runners-up were recognized during an afternoon awards presentation and reception at McClelland Hall, The University of Arizona.

About the Runners Up

McGuire Center new venture teams:

• Cookie Fusion: cookie shops offering fresh, baked-to-order cookies featuring client-selected ingredients.
• Fireguard Industries: marketing a revolutionary fire nozzle called VIPER which puts out fires 40% faster with 50% less water.
• UBike Incorporated: automated bicycle rental kiosk systems for short-term commuter use on college campuses.

Arizona Youth Entrepreneurship:

• Andres Squire is a junior at Sunrise Mountain High School in Peoria, Ariz. Her business plan, Cereal Café, will provide a quick, inexpensive breakfast for college students.
• Cristy Martinez is a junior at Apache Junction High School. Her business plan, La Perfection, is a photography business focused on creating beautiful and unforgettable memories for its clients.
  

The Eller College of Management at The University of Arizona is internationally recognized for pioneering research, innovative curriculum, distinguished faculty, excellence in entrepreneurship, and social responsibility. U.S.News & World Report ranks the Eller undergraduate program #12 among public business schools and five of its departments are among the top 25 — Entrepreneurship, MIS, Marketing, Management and Organizations, and Accounting. The MPA program in the School of Public Administration and Policy ranks in the top 50. Financial Times ranks the Eller MBA full-time program #27 in the U.S. and #57 in the world, and Forbes ranks the program among the top 50 nationwide. The College leads the nation’s business schools in generating grant funds for research. In addition to a full-time MBA program, the Eller College offers an evening MBA program, and the Eller Executive MBA. The Eller College of Management supports more than 5,100 undergraduate and 600 graduate students on the UA campus in beautiful Tucson, Arizona.

Press Contact:
Linda Herrick, Eller College Public Relations and Events Coordinator
520.626.2590, news@eller.arizona.edu