SBCC Scheinfeld Center to award $1,000 scholarship to Student Entrepreneur

The new pilot Scheinfeld Center program, entitled EnterpriseLAUNCH, is wrapping up on December 2, during which students will showcase their product or service before investors. Students have ten minutes each to pitch their idea, and the panel of investors will award $1,000 in cash to the winner. The showcase will take place on Friday, December 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on SBCC’s West Campus in the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC), Room 211.

Dr. Anton has volunteered his time to help students launch, and has supported the program with a generous donation, earmarked for seed capital to support the most viable ideas. EnterpriseLAUNCH is open to all SBCC students, no matter their discipline. Business and Entrepreneurship students along with any Career Technical students, and students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math programs are participating. More than 50 students clamored for a spot in the program, even though it is a no-credit, extra-curricular experience, requiring a three-hour commitment every Friday morning.

Among the products or services to be presented include:

Gopheride, a service alternative to a cab ride, that drives you and your car home after a night of imbibing. CEO Denis Yevseyev says. “I am very excited to introduce my service that I have worked so hard on this semester.”

FuelBox, an innovative charging product designed for mobile devices. The dynamic creative team (Robert Herr, Erik Stucky, Dan Fridman and Joakim Lindstrom) is looking forward to introducing their product to the public. “We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Dr. Anton.”

The Bucket List, an online community for retired (or nearly retired) individuals to match them with exciting activities based on their interests. “We help people realize their dreams,” says Svitlana Oksenenko-Ayoub who is working with partner Daniel Nikzad.

Garden on Wheels, an elevated portable garden to allow the gardening passion to continue to any age! “It’s our time to shine,” say co-founder Kevin Daniels.

Toasty’s, a gourmet sandwich catering company that delivers the most delicious, healthy and convenient lunches to businesses. Founder Carolyn Kope comments, “This program is such a great opportunity for student entrepreneurs. I am hoping to win so I can launch in January.”

Tracer, a mobile device application developed by Eric Maier, that uses GPS devices to track bus routes for students. Maier says, “With Tracer, missing the bus is a thing of the past.”

Some still as yet unnamed products to be presented include a secret product created by Chad Brooks and Gustaf Werner. Part of the EnterpriseLAUNCH program helps students obtain the proper protection of their ideas. These students are working diligently to obtain international patent protection of the concept before the showcase. Be the first to see their product that “greatly enhances outdoor biking activities, from extreme to leisure.” James Margeson will present a unique device that uses the natural water evaporation process to cool drinking water in hot weather. Margeson says, “It has been a great experience to learn how to take your idea to market in a classroom environment. What a great resource for SBCC students!”

The Scheinfeld Center engaged Dr. Jon Anton, an entrepreneur with a Doctorate of Science and a Master of Science from Harvard University and former researcher at Purdue University, to assist SBCC students launch businesses. Students have met with Dr. Anton, Melissa Moreno, Scheinfeld Center Director, and Bonnie Chavez, SBCC Business Administration Department Chair, in a weekly three-hour session on Fridays. Businesses launched from the program are eligible to participate in the Scheinfeld Center’s 2012 New Venture Challenge, and will have access to no-cost business counseling and coaching from the Scheinfeld Center’s Small Business Development Center for continued support after the program.

SBCC’s Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation offers courses and events on entrepreneurship and provides resources to entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses. For more information, please visit our website at http://scheinfeld.sbcc.edu.