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Innovation Unleashed
April 11, 2012

The Entrepreneurship Institute presented Innovation Unleashed,  the first annual business plan pitch competition for Ferris State University students. Overall there were seven student teams competing for their chance to win up to $750.

The event highlighted a Community Showcase that featured three local entrepreneurs who were vying for a chance to win the first place prize of $250. All members were judged by a panel of three judges who offered feedback to these aspiring entrepreneurs.

Judges included:

• Ron Steiner, Michigan State University Extension Entrepreneurship Development Educator and founder of The Kitchen Incubator 
• Bonnie Knopf, President, Intrepid Plastics, founding member of the Grand Rapids Inventors Network (GRIN) and Ferris alum 
• Kevin Kinnally, Vice President/General Manager, Kraftube Inc and local entrepreneur

Student Showcase:

• First Place ($500)- Kristen Dzikowicz and Andrew MacIver
• Second Place ($250)- Elizabeth Fabode
• Audience Choice ($250)- Tie: Evan Pazkowski/Parker Hammon and Brandon Achambault/Kyle Czuprenski

The other students featured during Innovation Unleashed were Nick Maus, Les Morey, and Jonethon Jager. Judges declared that all of the ideas presented had potential and that all student individuals and teams used the event as an opportunity to really unleash their innovation.

Community Showcase:

• First Place ($250)- Todd Price
• Second Place ($100)- Kevin Barnes

The other participant in the Community Showcase was Jayna Wekenman. These three competitors were participants in the Michigan Works! West Central Entrepreneurial Training Course.

Congratulations to all the winners and participants!