BCoE students showcase skills at annual competition
May 13, 2014
Some three dozen MSU students representing more than 20 start-up businesses received cash awards during the 2014 Investing in Innovation Day. Photo by: Russ Houston, Office of Public Affairs
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Bagley College students showcased their spirit and skill at this year’s Entrepreneurship Week competition.
Last month, graduate and undergraduate students participated in the business plan competition as part of Mississippi State’s annual Entrepreneurship Week. Each plan was judged by industry leaders on business principles such as technology, management, finances, and marketing.
Taking home more than half of the awards, BCoE students proved they have the technical skill and business savvy to create a product, start their own company and succeed in the marketplace. More than $45,000 was awarded as start-up investment for the students’ companies.
Entrepreneurship Week challenges students to be innovative and share their ideas with industry experts, peers and alumni. It also gives students the opportunity to receive feedback and continue their entrepreneurial efforts.
Bagley College of Engineering awardees (by hometown):
ATHENS, Ala. – Evan Suggs, a senior electrical engineering major, third place, Mark Dumas Prototype Innovation Challenge (part II), for Game Day Design Group.
BROOKHAVEN – Sylvester A. “Sly” Stafford, a graduate student in mechanical engineering, second place, Mark Dumas Prototype Innovation Challenge (part II), for Solid Technologies; and Charles Vaughan, a doctoral student in engineering and applied physics, third place, Talos Energy Prototype Innovation Challenge (part I), for Sear-Lock.
COLUMBUS – Josh Butler, a junior mechanical engineering major, second place, Talos Energy Prototype Innovation Challenge (part I), for High Velocity Cycles.
CRYSTAL SPRINGS – Russ Singleton, a senior biological engineering major, second place, Tellus Operating Late-stage Revenue and Final Competition, for Boardtown Technologies; and first place, Talos Energy Prototype Innovation Challenge (part I), for Boardtown Technologies.
DIAMONDHEAD – Tom Stockman III, a graduate student in mechanical engineering, third place, Mark Dumas Prototype Innovation Challenge (part II), for Game Day Design Group.
HOOVER, Ala. – Daniel Crist, a junior electrical engineering major, a People’s Choice Award, Talos Energy Prototype Innovation Challenge (part I), for Akimbo Games.
JACKSON – James “Jack” Strahan, a senior biological engineering major, second place, Tellus Operating Late-Stage Revenue and Final Competition, as well as first place, Talos Energy Prototype Innovation Challenge (part I), both for Boardtown Technologies.
MADISON, Ala. – Justin Matthews, a senior mechanical engineering major, first place, Early-stage Revenue Competition, for Jump-in.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Clayton Varner, a senior mechanical engineering major, second place, Mark Dumas Prototype Innovation Challenge (part II), for Solid Technologies.
PICAYUNE – Wil Whittington, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering, third place, Talos Energy Prototype Innovation Challenge (part I), for Sear-Lock.
PLANO, Texas – Ryan “Crownover” True, a senior electrical engineering major, second place, Mark Dumas Prototype Innovation Challenge (part II), for Solid Technologies.
STARKVILLE – Bryan Patton, a graduate student in mechanical engineering, second place, Mark Dumas Prototype Innovation Challenge (part II), for Solid Technologies.
VANCLEAVE – Tyler Ross, a senior electrical engineering major, third place, Conceptual Start-up Challenge, for Nook & Cranny.
VICKSBURG – Sam Stockstill, a senior electrical engineering major, third place, Tellus Operating Late-stage Revenue and Final Competition, as well as first place, Mark Dumas Prototype Innovation Challenge (part II), both for CoPilot.
WAYNESBORO – Cody Smith, a senior electrical engineering major, second place and a People’s Choice Award, Student Elevator Pitch Competition, for Nook & Cranny, as well as a People’s Choice Award, Talos Energy Prototype Innovation Challenge (part I), for Akimbo Games.
For more information about the Bagley College of Engineering, visit www.bagley.msstate.edu.
By: Erin Boozer
Additional reporting by: Allison Matthews and Sasha Steinberg