Kent State University and Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation was happy to host Business Concept Competition ?Taking the Idea to Real? in March 2008. The competition was open to students of any major or course of study enrolled in an undergraduate or masters program at Kent State. Students could participate both as individuals and as a group with a maximum of four members.

On March 12, six semi-finalists presented their business ideas to the judges, and three winners were chosen. The first winning idea by two students in the College of Technology, Michael Burngasser and Ryan Collins, "Plane Simplicity," received $1000 prize. The second winner, Sarah Barrett, hospitality major, won $600 with her "Press and Fill" concept. The third award, $400, was given to Tyler Allchin, political science major, and Greg Tomassino, finance major, for "Strokes Golf Bar and Grill" concept.

The "Plane Simplicity" team will advance to the regional LaunchTown competition which will be held on April 7 at John Carroll University. There top winners from eight other local universities will compete for a package of prizes worth $15,000.

http://www.launchtown.org/_index.php?page=press