2013 National Elevator Pitch Competition Final Results and Recap

Quincy Freeman of Quincy Boots took home first place and $3,500.
 
Dec. 2, 2013 - PRLog -- The 2013 National Elevator Pitch Competition hosted by the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization (CEO) was held November 1-2 at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. The final 60 competitors were selected from an application process of over 100 at-large bid submissions and from over 30 on-campus elevator pitch competitions that took place across the country over the past several months. The 60 competitors were each given 90 seconds to pitch their current business or business idea to a panel of judges and a room full of students, entrepreneurs, and faculty.  A total of three rounds decided the winners over the two-day competition.

Watch the full final round of the 2013 CEO National Elevator Pitch Competition here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys_AVRlzJOA&list=UUho9ocS9aC6BKHfZrapRXow).




Prizes

A total of $9,500 in cash was awarded along with generous prizes from sponsors.  Elance provided a total of $3,000 in Elance cash to the top three finalists and also provided every attendee with a $50 credit to go towards their first purchase on the freelancing website that hosts many top designers and developers.  Dun & Bradstreet Credibility also provided a Small Business Starter product to each of the finalists, a total value of $399 each.

Finalists

First Place, $3500- Quincy Freeman, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Quincy Boots:
Quincy Freeman wowed the audience and judges to become the third consecutive female entrepreneur to win the National Elevator Pitch Competition.  Quincy made a name for herself in the design world through her successful cowboy boot line with Ariat.  Her unique style and love for being a rodeo cowgirl have created a strong demand for her designs as she now launches her own line of boots – Quincy Boots - and a full line of apparel through Quincy Designs.  “I had a wonderful experience! I found myself surrounded by some of the most passionate and ambitious people I have encountered yet. I was both inspired and motivated to push harder to make my dreams a reality.” Quincy plans on using her prize money for research and development and eventually to build a website.  “I want to thank the national CEO organization for the opportunity to meet and be exposed to successful entrepreneurs in the real business world. What an amazing experience it was! I also want to thank my professor and advisor, Dr. Jonathan York, and the CIE and CEO organizations on Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's campus. They accepted the small town cowgirl from the Ag department, believed in my designs, and gave me the opportunity to be exposed to the real business world. Cal Poly raised the bar on my personal expectations of what I can bring to the world not only as a designer but as a successful business woman.”

Second Place, $2500- Nolan Simmons, Loyola Marymount, Revita Ink (http://www.revitaink.com/): Nolan Simmons is co-founder and COO of Revita Ink – A unique skin care line designed specifically to help prevent fading and loss of color in tattoos.  With the help of his co-founder David Raskin, and David’s father Dr. Bernard Raskin – an award-winning dermatologist, Revita Ink has developed from just an idea to a successful and growing startup.  Nolan was excited to have had the opportunity to compete in the competition and will be using the prize money directly towards the business and their new online marketing campaign. “I would recommend this competition and conference to anyone who would be interested in attending.  I will never forget this conference and I hope to make it back as a distinguished speaker or Hall of Fame inductee one day.

3rd Place, $1500- Tanner Agar, Texas Christian University, The Chef Shelf (http://thechefshelf.com/): The Chef Shelf is an online extension of a chef and/or restaurant’s brand.  The website sells products, cookbooks, and gift cards and also serves as a community for food lovers and chefs.  Tanner plans on using his winnings to file for a trademark and help grow the company through signing chefs and concentrating on sales through internet marketing and promotions.  When asked what he took away from the event and the competition, Tanner said, “I think the most important part of both the competition and the conference is that they are a vast array of judges, speakers, and other entrepreneurs whom are willing and passionate about helping others to grow their companies. I was fortunate to attract the attention of a few judges and will be speaking with them this week about how they can help me to develop my brand.

Honorable Mention- Tracy Hinterman, Texas State University, Ah-Ha Designs, Inc (http://gotthatfancovered.com/about-us.html).: Ah-Ha Designs, Inc. CEO Tracy Hinterman invented Got That Fan Covered, a protective light fixture bag that in two minutes completely covers all hanging light fixtures for construction and painting purposes.  The company is currently working on two other products while building up inventory to attend the upcoming National Hardware Show and International Home Builder’s Trade Show in Las Vegas, NV.  “This was the first time I have attended an event of such quality as this year’s CEO Conference.  The motivation, passion and dedication all of the speakers had for their businesses left me inspired and refreshed to continue on with my goals.  It was the shot in the arm that I needed.”  Tracy also said that the prize money ($500) will go towards graphic design fees.  To view Tracy’s product, visit GotThatFanCovered.com (http://www.gotthatfancovered.com/).

Honorable Mention- Alex Hutchinson, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Gluten Free Foodie: Gluten Free Foodie, founded in August of 2013, is a mobile app that will provide safe gluten free information and recipe transformations to accommodate those who suffer from allergies, Celiac disease, or those who wish to avoid gluten.  Founder Alex Hutchinson will use the $500 prize to pay legal fees for intellectual property rights and to patent his app.  Next for Alex and Gluten Free Foodie is to continue software development, build contacts within companies he will eventually sell advertising space to, and to come back next year to win 1st place in the National Elevator Pitch Competition.

Honorable Mention- Natalie Gallardo, Texas State University, Besser Education (http://www.bessereducation.com/): Besser Education is an after school science program for students in the San Antonio, Texas area.  From pre-kindergarten to 8th grade, Besser education focuses on hands-on learning and fun educational classes and programs.  “The support, guidance, and networking from the competition itself made everything worthwhile.  I can’t wait to get home and continue with this momentum!”

Congratulations to all of the students who are pursuing their dreams through starting a business!

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