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The Lyles Center for
Innovation and Entrepreneurship at California State University, Fresno
will host its fourth annual student business plan competition Saturday,
May 2.
The competition, which is open to the public, will showcase Fresno
State’s most promising young entrepreneurs who are ready to show the
judges why they have a winning business idea and deserve the money and
resources to make it a reality. It will be held in the Leon S. and Pete
P. Peters Educational Center, located in Fresno State’s Student
Recreation Center. The presentations will begin at 9 a.m. The awards
presentation will be at noon.
In the past, the competition has offered $10,000. However, students in
the Lyles Center’s Mentorship program organized this year’s competition
and raised funds to up the ante to $25,000.
Five finalists from among 20 competitors will present to a panel of
judges, who include founders, directors and CEOs of Central Valley
businesses, experts in technology and product development and the winner
of the Lyles Center’s $250,000 Business Plan Competition, which was held
during the fall semester.
The five finalists are:
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Dreamstakes, which allows
consumers to own high-end boats, all-terrain vehicles, recreational
vehicles and jet skis without the hassle and maintenance. The
venture will offer fractional ownership stakes to clients, allowing
them to purchase equity in the recreational equipment for use
several weeks each year. The company allows groups of clients to
share ownership of the equipment at a more affordable rate.
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MotoXfuel ™ Inc., which
sells and distributes MotoXfuel ™, a premium performance supplement,
to the extreme sports marketplace. The product, which contains a
B-vitamin complex, necessary electrolytes and amino acids, comes in
the form of a capsule so the athlete only gets essential
ingredients.
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Remove-It, a
professional-grade “eco-friendly” water spot remover that can be
used in households and businesses. Its patented “Green Chemistry”
gives the product a competitive advantage to seamlessly enter the
global marketplace.
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Smart Solar Network,
Inc., which provides the aftermarket maintenance and repair of
photovoltaic (PV) systems. Smart Solar offers a lifelong partnership
committed to helping clients maximize their PV systems by ensuring
PV system performance, boosting disposable income and becoming
better ecological stewards always in a safe and consistent manner.
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Sunspot Industries (SI),
a snow, surf and skateboard shop with an attached indoor skate park.
The company’s goal is to allow every person a chance to experience
the thrill of riding a board. SI offers affordable gear, high end
equipment and everything between to cater to every client’s
individual needs. Additionally, SI is determined to help youngsters
stay off the streets and remain safe with its mobile skate parks set
up at various community parks.
The first place winner will
receive $15,000, second place winner, $7,500 and third place, $2,500 to
aid in the development of their businesses.
The first place winner also will receive one of eight spaces in the
Lyles Center Hatchery to house the business. Operators will receive
intensive mentoring and other assistance from Lyles Center staff,
university faculty, community leaders and entrepreneurs.
In addition, the first place winner will be entered into the Draper
Fisher Jurvetson $250,000 Venture Competition and receive a scholarship
to attend a two-day E-
Myth Leadership Intensive Seminar, valued at $1,500.
For more information, contact Genelle Taylor at
genellet@csufresno.edu or
559.347.6832.
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