Rhode Island Business Plan Competition Names Six Finalists

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Business Plan Competition today announced that it has named six finalists in the 2013 competition that will award prizes valued at more than $200,000.

The finalists have proposed new businesses that span the biotech, consumer, health care, fashion, and manufacturing industries.

To win prizes, applicants must agree to establish or continue operations in Rhode Island.

Entrepreneur Track Finalists

Finalists in the entrepreneur track include the following:

EndoSphere Surgical, Inc. – Developing a method to reposition laparoscopic surgical tools to replicate open surgery providing surgeons with full control, making laparoscopic procedures easier, faster, and safer to perform. Principal applicant: Melvin Prenovitz, Newton, Mass.

Haverhill Incorporated – Designing fashion-forward fine jewelry for women that is price accessible and easily wearable. Principal applicant: Alison Cariati, Providence

TennisHub – Looks to connect tennis players to opportunities to play tennis and process online bookings and payments. Principal applicant: Eddie Ross, Providence

Student Track Finalists

Finalists in the student track include the following:

Azavy – An online store for 3D printed goods that crowd-sources manufacturing, enabling consumers to buy products designed and 3D printed by users. Principal applicant: Tyler Benster, Benster, Brown University

Fashion-Force – An online, business-to-business social community and trade show alternative to cost effectively and efficiently connect and grow a fashion based business. Principal applicant: Melissa Ellard, Bryant University

Optitrum – A handheld, non-invasive glucose meter to manage diabetes that utilizes a small saliva sample to determine glucose concentrations in the body almost instantaneously. Principal applicant: Jenny Yu, Brown University

The winners will be announced May 14 at The Garage economic development event at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, sponsored by the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. All finalists will be invited to present their business plans at The Garage.

Sponsors of the 2013 Competition

Lead sponsors of the 2013 competition are Davol Inc., a Bard Company, the Providence Journal Charitable Foundation , and the University of Rhode Island, along with Cumulus Media-Providence (AM 790), Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP, Embolden, Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP, and Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co., Ltd.

Also supporting the competition are Braemar Energy Ventures, Brown University, Bryant University, Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, Rhode Island Small Business Journal, Bank of America, Business Development Company, Collette Vacations, FM Global, Johnson & Wales University, Point Judith Capital, Providence College, Rhode Island Economic Development Corp., Roger Williams University, and Slater Technology Fund.

Additional support has been provided by Bank Rhode Island, Care New England Health System, Center for Women & Enterprise, Centreville Bank, Cherrystone Angel Group, Citizens Bank of Rhode Island, Deepwater Wind, Dimeo Construction Company, Gilbane Inc., GTECH Corporation, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Nortek, Inc., Teknor Apex, The Moore Company, Ximedica, Bank Newport, Freedom National Bank, Hayes & Sherry Real Estate Services, Hope Global, InsureMyTrip.com, JH Lynch & Sons, New England Institute of Technology, ShapeUp, Tech Collective, Betaspring, and Rhode Island Small Business Development Center

About the Competition

Established in 2000, the Rhode Island Business Plan Competition recently was named one of the top 40 business plan competitions in the country. To date, it has awarded more than $1.2 million in prizes to competitors developing companies across many industries.

In addition to awarding prizes, the competition hosts educational events in the months leading up to the application deadline in early April. They include business development, financial planning, and presentation skills workshops. In addition, the competition hosts the annual Rhode Island Elevator Pitch Complete competition information, including rules, application procedures, guidelines, and business plan resources, is available at www.ri-bizplan.com.

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