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Thousands at Forum Prove Spirit of Innovation is Alive in North Dakota
BISMARCK - Two University of North Dakota students won the seventh annual BOSS Business Plan Competition at the recent Marketplace for Entrepreneurs 2009 in Bismarck.
U.S. Sen. Kent Conrad and North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson, the organizers of Marketplace for Entrepreneurs, presented $3,000 to Kristine Lesch, Hibbing, MN, and Joshua Goldade, Grand Forks. The two UND students developed a business plan for SunAir Power, a company that would create wind and solar power generators for use in outdoor advertising, ranching and research applications.
"The BOSS competition encourages a new generation of entrepreneurs," said Conrad and Johnson. "Young people like Kristine and Joshua are the business leaders of tomorrow, and we want them to take an active role in growing North Dakota's economy."
Teams from 24 schools across the Midwest, including Bismarck State College, the University of North Dakota, Minot State University, Dickinson State University and the University of Cincinnati, submitted business plans for the competition.
Marketplace also hosted the fifth annual Marketplace/Northern Plains Invention Contest. Inventors from across North Dakota and surrounding states presented their ideas in hopes of winning thousands of dollars in prizes and the recognition needed to launch their products into production.
Invention Contest winners were:
Overall Winner: Robert Lee Heitkamp, Mantador, is the creator of Site Saver, a molded plastic retainer strapped onto the hand to manage, support, and protect an IV site.
First Place Ages 14 - 18: MacKenzie F. A. Melby, Watford City, is the creator of Smart Trailer, an anti-jackknife apparatus. Smart Trailer provides wheel axle control and also allows the user the option of manually steering the trailer, via remote control.
First Place Ages 13 and Under: Adam Philip Schreiner, Hunter, the creator of Taco Tape. Available in a variety of flavors, Taco Tape encases a taco or burrito to keep fillings inside with each bite.
Other BOSS Business Plan Competition winners
Second Place: Molly Backhaus, New Salem, a Bismarck State College student, developed the plan for New Tech Biomass, a company that sells switchgrass seed to marginal land owners to help better soil and increase yields.
Third Place: Brian Kunkel, New Salem, and Adam Balk, Sawyer. The two BSC students created a plan for Mid-West Precision Ag Consulting, a business that would provide precision ag services in an area of the market that currently does not meet customers needs.
Third Place: Jane Khaladzinskaya and Olga Gnedash, Dickinson. The two Dickinson State students developed a plan for the Psychiatric Clinic of Dickinson to provide counseling, treatment and follow-up care for mentally challenged people.
Fourth Place: Jordan Kainz and Jared Perkins of Minot. The Minot State University students submitted plans for Daily Grind Delivery, a multi-faceted delivery service
Fourth Place: Amro Kamel, Mason, OH, and Philip Gettinger, Cincinnati, OH. The University of Cincinnati students developed a plan for Ulcer Scale, a medical device company helping people with diabetes lower the risk of developing foot ulcers.
Fifth Place: Bennett Gackle, Grand Forks. The DSU student developed plans for Aqua Vitae Vending, an alcohol vending service for parties, weddings, and gatherings.
Fifth Place: Darren Olafson, Edinburg, created plans for Lift-n-Tell, a system that warns truck drivers of a "box raised" condition, helping avoid accidents.
Other 2009 Marketplace/Northern Plains Invention Contest Winners
Ages 13 and Under
Second Place: Jonah B. Eslinger of Bismarck, inventor of Deck the Roof, an innovative method to decorate your house or trees with Christmas lights without the tangles, twists and hassles.
Third Place: Benjamin John Longlet, Arthur, creator of the Heated Pet Waterer. The invention is a 5-gallon, insulated container that will not freeze in subzero temperatures and is designed to be used for extended periods of time without evaporation.
Overall Winners
Second Place: Colleen J. Reinke, Bismarck, creator of CatAerie, a modular play structure for cats.
Third Place and the Special Award for Energy Conservation: Doug C. Michelson, Horace, the Oil Transfer Systems, for a multi-task oil handling system and recycling cart and a newly developed recycling area that includes crankcase oil.
To learn more about Marketplace, please visit www.MarketplaceForEntrepreneurs.org.
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