A technological solution designed to make urban parking more efficient, an alternative to fast food restaurants in Poland, and a lighting company that uses genetically modified bacteria to issue natural light – it was only three of the entrepreneurial ideas that students from St. John’s University brought to the annual annual life James and Eileen Christmas business plan competitionheld on April 10 at Le Peter J. Tobin College of Business.
The competition is one of the main commercial development events of the university calendar. It is subscribed by Mr. Christmas’ 70CBA, who was one of the judges. Roy Weissman, MbaAssistant professor of the management of practice, entrepreneurship, consultation and operations (MECO) in Tobin and director of the competition, presented five finalists in the competition of the business plan and five winners in the separate competition for business land.
Students submitted more than 100 business plans, which is more than double compared to 2024, said Professor Weissman.
“We had a significant increase in the number of plans submitted,” said Professor Weissman. “And we had people’s plans in different Schools and collegesSo it’s exciting. The start of Center for venture capital and innovation created a feeling of conscience of entrepreneurship on the campus. »»
Joining Mr. Christmas on the judgment group of five people were Christopher P. Long, Ph.D.Teacher, Management, entrepreneurship, advice and operations (Meco), and director, Executive program in residence; Stanley A. Moskowitz ‘80mbaPresident,, Feeasy, llca free national comparison platform; William D. Reisel, Ph.D.Professor, Meco; And Thomas Scaturro ‘86cbaPresident, Bison wealth, and member of the university Governors’ Council.
Francilia Wilkins Rahim ’09TCB,’ 11mba, Managing Director and founder of RF Wilkins Consultants, Inc. And Labs ayoAnd a member of the board of directors of Tobin Dean, delivered a speech inspiring to the entrepreneurs of St. John’s. “I was almost 20 years ago,” said Rahim. “In 2011, I graduated first as the first cycle, then with an MBA, we were in the middle of one of the worst recessions. I submitted 235 job requests and received zero responses. ”
“I had little money, but I had an idea, an innovative task – that I could be an independent business development consultant,” continued Ms. Rahim. “With an idea, you can do the same.”
Ms. Rahim left the scene to the applause of a crowd of dignitaries from St. John’s, whose Rev. Brian J. Shanley, opPresident of the University; Simon G. MØLler, ph.d.Provost and main vice-president of academic affairs, a distinguished professor at the university and president endowed with provost; And Maciek Nowak, Ph.D.Dean and Joseph H. and Maria C. Schwartz Chair Presidents in Tobin.
Then started the evaluation of the five student business plans. In addition to parking, an Açaí and Poke Bowl option for Poland, and a new look at the urban lighting mechanisms, St. John’s students presented plans for a clothing chain with reused portable devices and an application of corporate well-being connections based on artificial intelligence.
Students had to submit a business plan by March 5. The five finalists, such as voted by a panel of faculty revisers, were announced on March 20. Business plans were evaluated on the following criteria:
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Force of the value proposition
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Clear and durable competitive advantage
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If the target market is receptive to new entrants
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If the market size offers a growth opportunity
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Sustainable and scalable income potential and a commercial model
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Achievable implementation
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It is time to market and reimburse opportunities for investors
With a first price of $ 5,000 and eight prices in total of a combined value of $ 9,500, the students competed more than recognition. In some cases, the money price served as initial funding for their proposed companies.
Mariana Aria Correa, originally from Colombia, submitted the winning business plan for its application by Parkx, a winning business plan that pursues an MBA in St. John’s. By using real -time data from municipal cameras, Mariana’s application would identify free and paid parking spaces available in major cities, including New York. She was considering the application after her living experiences and fighting for parking – in Miami, FL and Washington, DC.
“Parking is a problem in all major cities,” she said. “I hope it can help resolve it for people. If the cities of the United States love the idea, we can develop in other cities in the world. ”
Finalist, senior Wiktoria KowalczykA member of the Red Storm Women‘S volleyball The team, tries to fill a catering vacuum in their native Poland, where she said, young people are moving away from fast food with healthier options. However, healthy restaurants are rare in Poland, she said.
“My generation is moving away from heavy and fatty foods; we want something lighter and healthier,” said Wiktoria. “The first time I had a poke bowl here, I said I had to bring it back to Poland.”
Third place went to Shuborno Hassin for Bioglow, which uses genetically modified bacteria to create light.
Business land winners were led by the fifth year Pharmacy Student Mayimuna Maula, who plans to develop the Medmuna application to simplify information for prescription drug users.
“There is such a misunderstanding in the way of taking medication,” said Mauna. “I would like to be a candle in the dark and help them access their medication more easily.”