May 13, 2008
Jackson, MS - Southern Miss’ students placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the statewide business plan competition hosted by the Mississippi Technology Alliance held Tuesday May 13, overcoming competition from four other state universities. An additional award was won for the best alternative energy business plan.
Students received their awards at a black tie event celebrating the MS Innovators Hall of Fame inductees. The induction of Ambassador John Palmer helped draw an impressive group of almost 500 state business and political leaders. Also inducted last evening was Southern Miss’ MURA company KDL Solutions, led by Southern Miss faculty member Dean Bertram.
The three students representing USM at the competition were Chris Sahagun, Megan Powell, and James Whittemore IV.
Chris Sahagun and Irene Gorman took first place and a $5k award for their company, CS Composites, Inc. The company intends to produce an ultra-light, high strength material for use in aerospace, automotive racing and other specialty high performance markets. The company also won the Southern Miss Invent Your Future competition, bringing their total prize money to $10k. Chris is a graduate student in polymer science working with Dr. Sarah Morgan and Irene is a graduate student in polymer science working with Dr. Robson Storey.
Megan Powell took second place and a $3k award for her company, Glactech, Inc. Glactech is developing a new treatment to prevent dry socket, a very painful side effect associated with 30% of all wisdom teeth extractions. Megan is a polymer science graduate student working with Dr. Robson Storey.
James Whittemore IV was awarded third place and a bonus for being the best alternative energy company, taking home $2.2k for his company, GreenLight Materials, Inc. GreenLight is enabling printed electronics producers to enter the solar powered consumer portable device market. James is a polymer science graduate student working with Dr. James Rawlins.
All three companies are using their prize money to complete their prototypes and forward their marketing efforts.
Prior to competing in the MTA Business Plan Competition, each student previously competed in the annual Invent Your Future competition hosted by Noetic Technologies. For the past two years, the winners of Invent Your Future have competed in the Fed Ex Regional Business Plan Competition featuring $25k in prize money and placed in the top three.
Pictured (L to R): James Whittemore IV, Megan Powell, and Christopher Sahagun
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