Students compete in the sixth annual 3 Day Startup on campus

March 29, 2018

Student entrepreneurs at Georgia Southern University brought their business ideas to life during the Business Innovation Group’s (BIG) sixth annual 3 Day Startup (3DS) program, held Feb. 16-19 at the Information Technology Building in the Professional Development Center.

3DS is a world-renowned program that creates a living entrepreneurship laboratory that brings together individuals from various backgrounds and provides students with the tools they need to start successful companies.

Andrew Rogers, this year’s 3DS facilitator grew up in Sacramento, CA before moving to Omaha, NE to attend the Creighton University Heider College of Business, now working on the Technology Innovation Team for The Carson Group says he “has a passion for turning ideas into realities, and helping people realize their entrepreneurial talents.” Rogers helped 3DS finalists prepare for the weekend by providing directions on how to pitch to investors and on how to organize and acquire data. Five ideas were presented during final pitches, ranging from carbon fiber longboards to hair care products to tumblers, and students worked with and received guidance from mentors throughout the weekend.

“This is by far my favorite event to organize for the students,” said Program Manager Suzanne Hallman. “Every year we hear great ideas and see huge strides our students make over the weekend.”

Ultimately, panelists chose “Tailr,” a digital measuring system using a smartphone camera/webcam etc. that works to be an intermediary between retailers and consumers by helping those who shop for clothing online to determine the perfect size and fit for them, as the most viable product to move on to be an incubator client at City Campus. Incubator clients are early-stage companies who share individual office space with the advantage of mentors and networking opportunities.  The Business Innovation Group shifts clients toward speeding up the growth and success of startup companies.

“The Business Innovation Group creates this great opportunity for our students to get real experience with the development of ideas into business models, and the students love it,” said Steve Stewart, Ph.D., an assistant professor of management who teaches in the Entrepreneurship program.

Other business ideas worked on throughout the weekend included:

• Nia – allows users to insert hair product into a specialty engineered brush that distributes the product from the bristles throughout hair. Provides ease with hair maintenance for individuals with hard to manage or curly hair.

• Dis – carbon fiber longboards that are durable, long-lasting, water, shock and UV resistant, marketed to be more reliable than wooden boards.

• Tac – insulated cups made with rotomold uniform density plastic, and threaded lids that are marketed to be superior to the weakness of Yeti and Tervis.

• Five Dollar Footwear – initiates the reality of high-quality and high-end sneakers for the price of $5 through a controlled lottery system that allows population segments to win.

“My goal this year was to help participants by providing handouts to truly act as a how-to guide. Lean canvas is an abbreviated business plan model that requires users to get to the point under specific guidelines. Participants are required to follow this model as well as a suggested presentation slide deck order. The handouts fleshed out details in lay terms, and I believe really helped to provide a confident working infrastructure,”  said Georgia Southern University 3DS president Eminah Quintyne. “Each group did an excellent job with the content and aesthetic of their presentation. Marin Coleman, a graphic design student, added incredible value by sharing her skillset with each group. She created everyone’s logo.”

The Georgia Southern University BIG prides itself on its commitment to empower and equip entrepreneurs. 3DS is an example of the commitments BIG makes to create more businesses and jobs in order to sustain the economy. For more information, contact Suzanne Hallman, business advisor, at shallman@georgiasouthern.edu, or visit georgiasouthern.3daystartup.org.