The Campaign for Sustained Leadership

In a sign that student business plans are reaching new heights of sophistication, the Wharton Business Plan Competition awarded its $25,000 grand prize to bone biopsy innovators, Envisia, Inc., at the annual Wharton Venture Fair on Monday, April 22. The winning team included Onne Ganel, Matthew Pickens, Eileen Stephens, and Bryon Gombert. In all, the Competition distributed more than $80,000 in cash prizes this year.

Both of the top two winners had already received outside recognition: Envisia is a finalist in the MBA Jungle Business Plan Challenge, and first-runner- up Q Systems received the $7,000 Glockner Award for undergraduates.

One trend emerging throughout this year's competition – which is open to any Penn student and is managed by the Wharton School's Entrepreneurial Management Program – is the "back to basics" nature of products and services represented.

"We are delighted that this year's students seem to have taken advantage of the educational process we provide," says Anne Stamer, associate director for Wharton Entrepreneurial Programs. "This year we've seen the students drive each other to create substantive business plans that go beyond gimmicks. That's why we think many are already well on their way to becoming successful business owners and innovators."

Reflective of the trend, some of the plans reviewed by the judges contained extensive research and others modest revenue projections. Students targeted niche markets in their plans for such businesses as wound care resins, online auction security, and a new jet-powered industrial hammer for the construction industry.

For complete information on the competition, visit the Wharton Business Plan Competition site at www.whartonbpc.com.