Fort Hays State University (FHSU) emerged as the victor in the inaugural Werth Entrepreneurship Challenge, narrowly surpassing the University of Connecticut (UCONN) team on November 29.
Led by Peter Werth in collaboration with FHSU’s Department of Applied Technology, the competition tasked participants from FHSU and UCONN with developing startup business plans focused on sustainable energy. The primary emphasis was on the creation, design, and production of a portable charging station.
The triumphant FHSU team walked away with a grand prize of $15,000, while the second-place UCONN team secured a prize of $10,000, following a thorough evaluation of their presentation style, business plan summary, and the viability of their founders and venture.
The winning business plan, True Sustainable Energy, envisioned by the FHSU team, centred around the development of a permanent charging station called the WattSpot. This cutting-edge charging station integrates green energy technology with the serenity of nature and the convenience of modern work environments. Conversely, UCONN’s entry, Solar Sync, featured an ADA-compliant charging station, complete with LED lighting and an e-scooter charging station.
Eric Deneault, Associate Professor of Engineering Design Technology at FHSU, served as the primary organizer and host for the challenge. He expressed his admiration for the exceptional talents demonstrated by both FHSU and UCONN students, recognizing the positive reflection on their respective institutions. Additionally, Deneault commended the unique learning experience offered, emphasizing the valuable educational insights gained by all participants.
The FHSU team, comprised of KAMS student Tuley Gilliand of Holton, senior John Brody Groves of Tonganoxie, KAMS student Bryce Steffan of Ellinwood, sophomore Austin Radke of Halstead, senior Sullivan Kelly of Davenport, Iowa, and senior Joey Olsen of Olathe.
Looking to the future, Deneault expressed anticipation for the continued progression of the challenge and the potential for establishing a lasting partnership. He highlighted the importance of nurturing entrepreneurship and collaboration among bright young minds across different academic institutions. Furthermore, Deneault extended his gratitude towards Peter Werth for sponsoring the event, UCONN for their participation, the esteemed panel of judges, and the administration for their unwavering support of undergraduate research and entrepreneurship, attributing the victory to a collective team effort.
The article above, accompanied by the corresponding photo, is credited to FHSU University Communications.
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