College business-plan contests are in full swing. Winners get cash and exposure to industry pros. In recent years, student ideas such as contact lens supplier 1-800-CONTACTS, the 1996 champ at Brigham Young University, have become successful ventures. Some of this year`s winners:
| Institution |
Number of Teams |
Winning Team |
Cash Grand Prize |
| Brigham Young University |
39 |
Property Solutions
Web software for property management |
$25,000 |
| Duke University |
55 |
MBright
Digital display technology for projectors |
$50,000 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
118 |
Smartcells
Once-a-day insulin shot for diabetics |
$30,000 |
| University of Michigan |
25 |
Mobius Microsystems
Integrates timing device onto a computer chip |
$10,000 |
| University of Pennsylvania |
151 |
Paws Pet Health Insurance
Health insurance for pets |
$20,000 |
| University of Texas at Austin |
30 |
Kidsmart
Talking fire alarm designed for children |
$100,000 |
