Seven teams move on to compete for $80,000 in the UH Business Plan Competition

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Tracy Taira, (808) 956-5357
College of Business
Posted: Apr 19, 2005

HONOLULU — Finalists for the 2005 UH Business Plan Competition were announced today at the UH College of Business. Business plans of seven teams shined brighter than the nearly 90 others, earning them spots to move on to the final competition, and vie for $80,000 in cash prizes.

After months of preparation, the remaining finalists will present their plans orally at a culminating event on Tuesday, April 26, at the UH School of Architecture Auditorium from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Teams will have 10 minutes to present their plans and then 10 minutes to answer questions from a panel of judges. The top-placing teams will be announced and awarded at the end of the event.

FINALISTS:
Carbon Diversion
is combining breakthrough technology and knowledge management in the carbon conversion process. The innovative process of Flash Carbonization reduces processing time from days to less than an hour, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, more than doubles the productive yields.

EQ International Inc. is a trade development business whose main objective is to assist companies and entrepreneurs of the Asia-Pacific region through consulting services.

Hoku International, LLC, is a QHTB certified Hawaiʻi based agribusiness specializing in the research and development of high quality Hawaiʻi grown native and non-native plants and various medicinal herbs.

Mixed Plate -- As a research and development (R&D) center for hospitality management, the University Hotel at Manoa (UHM) will undoubtedly enrich the current academic experience at TIM for students and faculty alike. Located at the site currently occupied by the Varsity Building and Theater, this full-service hotel will be within walking distance of the UH campus.

The Paradise Export Company will market traditional island products from the Pacific and Caribbean through online retail operations using culturally sensitive and educational themes in its marketing strategy.

Professional Nurse Recruiters‘ mission is to reduce the United State‘s nursing shortage by providing a value-added recruiting service placing foreign nurses in U.S. healthcare facilities, initially within the state of Hawaii.

Risk Assessment Laboratories has developed a test, which will be administered by hospitals and funded by insurance companies, that accurately predicts preterm birth and diagnoses disease.


ABOUT THE COMPETITION
This is the sixth UH Business Plan Competition, presented by the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship & E-Business (PACE). The Competition‘s objectives are to provide meaningful learning experiences for students interested in pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities, and to build a community network that encourages entrepreneurship. Ten help sessions provided team members the opportunity to learn and gain skills to write effective business plans. For more information about the UH Business Plan Competition, contact PACE at 956-5083 or pace@cba.hawaii.edu, or visit www.UHBusinessPlanCompetition.com.


FACTS
Participants:

· 60 teams submitted executive summaries to compete in Round 1
· 30 teams submitted business plans to compete in Round 2
· 5 teams will present their plans in the Final Round
· Over 40 coaches, who are business leaders in the community, volunteered their time and expertise to mentor teams
· Over 60 judges, who are business leaders in Hawaii and abroad, volunteered their time and expertise to critique executive summaries and business plans

Prizes:
· $25,000 First prize (sponsored by The Case Foundation)
· $15,000 Second prize (sponsored by The Case Foundation)
· $20,000 Best Social Enterprise prize (sponsored by The Case Foundation)
· $20,000 UH Technology prize (sponsored by the Office of Technology Transfer and Economic Development)

For more information, visit: http://www.UHBusinessPlanCompetition.com