On Fri, Jan. 21, eight student teams competed in the third round of the 2022 Michigan Business Challenge (MBC) through a virtual platform. The competition was fierce, and the judges had a very difficult job to do.
Panels of esteemed judges from the entrepreneurial ecosystem were given the difficult task of winnowing down the 8 teams to just 4 that will advance in the competition. We are happy to announce the teams awarded the chance to compete in the MBC Finals on Fri, Feb. 11.
MBC Seigle Impact Track Finalists
The MBC Seigle Impact Track recognizes the business that best pursues a mission-driven goal and aims to stimulate the creation of new businesses, products or services that prioritize social and/or environmental considerations. The teams moving forward in this track include the following (read an interview with each team by clicking on the team name):
Clear Computing: Private tech lessons and in-home tech support to help older adults use their devices independently and confidently. James Giordani, MSW ’22
Great Quality Developments: Great Quality Developments is a social-impact driven mixed-use development company that specializes in integrative models that increase affordable housing, homeownership, and community resources in Detroit, MI. Hattie McKinney, J.D. ’22
Seconds Labs: A novel, performance-boosting whole-food beverage, leveraging an underutilized “superfood” as our key ingredient – the fruit surrounding coffee beans, for an offering that promotes a healthy lifestyle and environmental sustainability. Matt Baker, WMBA ’22; Claire Bissa, WMBA ’22; Austin Clowes, WMBA ’22
WILD (Whether in Life or Death): The funeral industry is highly fragmented, outdated, and offers little to no transparency. WILD is an all-in-one digital platform that combines technology and human support to save people time, money, and stress when experiencing or preparing for the loss of a loved one. Maura McInerney-Rowley, MBA ’22
The MBC Innovation Track recognizes new ventures that offer a product, service, mobile application, or platform serving consumers or enterprises. The MBC Invention Track recognizes ventures that have intellectual property at the core of their high-tech venture and aims to stimulate the creation of new businesses in life sciences, physical sciences, mobility, AR/VR, and more.
Over the next few weeks, these student teams will continue to fine-tune their business plans for a chance at over $100,000 in cash prizes. Stay connected with the 2021 campus-wide competition through the ZLI website.
The Michigan Business Challenge is a multi-round competition for students from across 19 schools and colleges at the University of Michigan. MBC focuses on entrepreneurial teams testing real-world business concepts through engaging in customer discovery, vetting financial models, conducting market research, and developing a complete business plan. Throughout the competition, students have the opportunity to gain feedback from leaders in the entrepreneurial and venture investment community–allowing them to expand their business network.
