Ohio Wesleyan University recently held its inaugural U.S. Entrepreneurship Competition, with President Matt vandenBerg congratulating the winning teams at the Ohio Statehouse. WaterWise Technologies, represented by Kendall Byrd, won the professional category, while SearchOwl, represented by a team from Case Western Reserve University, won the college student category. The competition showcased the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation of participants who received a total prize package worth $450,000.
VandenBerg emphasized the importance of fostering entrepreneurship to drive economic growth and job creation in Ohio. He highlighted OWU’s commitment to supporting founders and launching startups through the Delaware Entrepreneurial Center, the first liberal arts business accelerator in the U.S. The center provides resources and mentorship to help businesses thrive and contribute to the state’s prosperity.
The competition attracted startups focusing on a variety of industries, with WaterWise Technologies developing an aquatic drone to target pathogens in freshwater ecosystems and SearchOwl seeking to improve the online shopping experience with a personalized algorithm. Both winning teams received investment packages valued at $100,000 and access to office space and mentorship at the DEC OWU.
The event also recognized the second and third-place winners in both the professional and college student categories, including Industrial Hyperspectral Solutions and Mobile Med in the professional track, and Zen Music Group and Junietta in the college student category. These entrepreneurs received investment packages ranging from $50,000 to $75,000 to support their business growth.
The Delaware Entrepreneurial Center at OWU has been instrumental in supporting emerging businesses, with 11 companies graduating from the center in the past six years and adding 45 new full-time jobs to the local economy. Ohio Wesleyan University continues to be a leader in entrepreneurship, providing opportunities for aspiring founders to thrive and contribute to the state’s economic development.
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