2011 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Finalists and Semi-Finalists Announced

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Date04 Mar 2011
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The best business plans from college and university teams statewide were recently selected to compete in the next round of the state’s premier business plan competition. Teams from nine Arkansas colleges and universities were announced as finalists in the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Graduate and Undergraduate Business Plan Competition today, in the eleventh annual contest. Twelve undergraduate and six graduate teams will advance to the next level. In the next round, the 12 advancing semi-finalist undergraduate teams will make a 20-minute presentation after which they will answer questions from judges for 15 minutes. Two judge’s panels will determine the six finalist undergraduate teams. The six undergraduate finalist teams, along with the six graduate teams, will compete in the last round of oral presentations for first-, second- and third-place prizes April 7 and April 8 at The Peabody Hotel in Little Rock. “Year after year, this competition showcases the incredible entrepreneurial spirit and initiative of our young adults,” said Kerri Daniels, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation, a nonprofit division of the Arkansas Capital Corporation, which underwrites the competition. “When I see their ideas and their energy, I know I’m looking at the future business leaders of Arkansas.” The competition puts participants through the rigors of creating in-depth and comprehensive business plans, which provide them with valuable experience in entrepreneurship, said Daniels. Students also get to meet and learn from the state’s current business leaders, giving them another source of mentorship and guidance. Again this year, teams will compete for cash prizes, which will be awarded Wednesday, April 20, at State House Convention Center in Little Rock. And for the second year, the awards luncheon will feature an elevator pitch competition, in which finalists make 90-second potential investor pitches for the audience and judges. The 2011 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup finalists include: Undergraduate Semi-Finalists

  1. Agricultural Food Systems – John Brown University
  2. The AgWhey Group – Harding University
  3. B.E.A.S.T. Technologies, Inc. – Harding University
  4. Buck Nekkid BBQ & Saloon– University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
  5. Craftistas, John Brown University
  6. GardenCraft – John Brown University
  7. HealthTap – University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
  8. Here to Last – Harding University
  9. IPlanIt – Ouachita Baptist University
  10. Mosea’s – Henderson State University
  11. Quantum Tape – University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
  12. Tuck – In – Harding University

Undergraduate Agricultural

  1. The AgWhey Group – Harding University
  2. RGI Designs – Arkansas Tech University
  3. Agricultural Food Systems – John Brown University
  4. Tuck – In – Harding University
  5. Scoops for Solidarity – Harding University

Undergraduate Innovation

  1. Agricultural Food Systems – John Brown University
  2. Ordertronics, LLC – Ouachita Baptist University
  3. Tuck – In – Harding University

Graduate Finalists

  1. CycleWood Solutions, LLC – University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
  2. Integration Enterprises – University of Arkansas, Little Rock
  3. Jeska Shoe Company – Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia
  4. Kigali Coffee – Hendrix College
  5. Peas and Cues – John Brown University
  6. TiFiber, LLC – University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Graduate Innovation

  1. Integration Enterprises – University of Arkansas, Little Rock
  2. Jeska Shoe Company – Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia
  3. The Jetwork – University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Graduate Agricultural

  1. CycleWood Solutions, LLC – University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
  2. KBVH – Arkansas Tech University

The 2011 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup competition is sponsored by Arkansas Farm Bureau; Murphy Oil Corporation; Delta Plastics; Dillard’s, Harriet & Warren Stephens, Stephens Inc.; The Olds Foundation; The McLarty Companies; Coulson Oil Company Inc.; Entergy; University of Arkansas, Department of Agriculture; Rose Law Firm; Windstream; FedEx; Tyson; University of Arkansas, Sam M. Walton College of Business; Kutak Rock LLP; Arkansas Business; Arkansas State University; Steve Landers Chrysler Dodge Jeep.