The Georgia State University – J. Mack Robinson College of Business recently hosted its annual business plan competition, presenting first prize of $20,000 to VasoCorp.
The 2016 business plan competition was hosted by the Herman J. Russell, Sr. International Center for Entrepreneurship at Georgia State. In total, thirty-two business plans were submitted to the competition. All students at Georgia State were eligible to submit a proposal. Judges included local business leaders such as Kevin Johnson, CEO and president of Johnson Media, and Davin Williams, managing director of audit services at Grant Thornton.
Clifton V. (Buddy) Ray, associate director of the Russell Center, commented on the student’s involvement in the competition. “It’s exciting to see Georgia State students creating business ideas at this level,” he said. “I have no doubt that all of our 2016 winners will make good use of their awards to continue creating successful businesses.
The competition’s top prize was awarded to pre-law students Angela Cross and her brother, William, whose company VasoCorp offers a patent-pending supplement for diabetic neuropathy. William, himself a Type 1 diabetic, helped develop the product in order to control his own neuropathy. As first place winners, the Cross siblings were awarded with a package of in-kind services and $20,000 cash.
Second place was awarded to Elemenoh Studios, a creative agency run by Bryan Perry which creates location-based apps and integrations for both brick-and-mortar locations and event-based installations. For second place, Perry received $10,000.
In addition, honorCode, an organization invested in expanding career opportunities for low income students in the Atlanta metro, was named the best nonprofit/socially aware plan in the competition.