The annual TOP DAWG Business Plan Competition is scheduled for Feb. 17 at the Louisiana Tech University Student Center.

A total of seven teams, all advancing out of the 14-team TOP DAWG Pick of the Litter Idea Pitch held this past October, will compete is this year’s competition.

This year’s top three teams at the competition, chosen by a panel of judges, will receive a total of $7000 in prize money as well as six months temporary space at the Louisiana Tech Enterprise incubator.

The Jones Walker Entrepreneurial Spirit Award along with $2000 cash and the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce “Best Presentation” Award with $2000 cash will also be announced.

Supporting sponsors of the annual event include the College of Business, the College of Engineering and Science, Center for Entrepreneurship and Information Technology (CEnIT) and the Association of Business, Engineering, and Science Entrepreneurs (ABESE) student group.

The seven participating teams occupied temporary offices in the Louisiana Tech Enterprise Center while they were writing their business plans. Each team was also assigned two mentors who advised them through the business planning process. The mentors were Dr. Andrea Drake, Dr. Son Le, Dr. Dave Norris, Dr. Jon Pratt, Ms. Carol Shaver and Ms. Kathy Wyatt.

The TOP DAWG Business Plan Competition first-place team will also, if accepted, compete in the Rice Business Plan Competition.

The 2009 TOP DAWG Business Plan Competition teams are:

  • SECURE TEST: A software package that captures the keystrokes of a computer user and analyses the typing patterns to confirm that user’s identity. (La Tech IP). Keith Larsen, MGMT; Mechelle Rambin, MGMT; John Brooks, MGMT
  • BLUE GREEN FUELS: An alternative bio-fuel feed stock or oil that will be used to create bio-diesel. (La Tech IP). Jeremy Pardue, Masters Eng Tech MGMT
  • ELECTRIC SHOE: A product that uses a piezoelectric material and a super capacitor to “scavenge” energy from sources where energy is wasted, like when feet hit the ground, or tires hit the road. (La Tech IP). Josh McGrew, ME; Tyler Michalak, NanoSys ENGR; Judson Stevens, Nanosys ENGR; Justin Walsh, MGMT/FIN
  • TOURBUSK: An online music marketing and distribution system targeting independent artists. James Eastwood, NanoSys ENGR; Geoff Thibeau, Comm Design; Bill Yi, MBA
  • OILFIELD DIAGNOSTICS: A new form of offshore pipe and platform inspection. (La Tech IP). Karren Lovelady, GraphicDsgn/MKT; Noah Bergeron, PhD ENGR
  • BRUTE FORCE: An innovative product line of “automated spotting” power lifting equipment. Colin Hosli, EE; David Richard, EE; Mark Mckee, ME
  • UNITEXT: An electronic notebook and textbook reader for college students. Blake Hosli, PhD Engr; Shasta Phelps, SPCH

Written by Brian Miller