Students Shine at Annual C2V Challenge

C2V Challenge presents a phenomenal opportunity for UIC Business students to take on real responsibilities and experience the full range of business roles as the CEO of their own companies. This year saw an increase in the number of competitors, but no shortage of creativity, innovation and ambition.

This is my sixth year watching this challenge and I am still in awe at the talents of our undergraduate students. Even those with years of business experience under their belts find the prospect of entrepreneurship intimidating. But each year groups of our students, barely catching their breath from finals and end-of-year projects, roll up their sleeves and present their ideas and plans to a rather intimidating panel of judges. It takes preparation and planning, but mostly it takes guts.

Students present not only their new business concept, but also their marketing and management plans, their growth outlook and their financial prospects to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs, investors and industry experts. They get grilled with some pretty tough questions, all in the hopes that their business plan will emerge stronger and more successful.

This year we saw a great range of products and services, and the judges that I talked to were very impressed with the caliber of the competitors. Competing this year in the undergraduate competition were:

• Profile- a new level of quality and luxury in the fragrance and body-care industry.
• III Strands- a three-division real estate conglomerate.
• ShySpa- an app that connects beauticians to clients requesting at-home services. ShySpa made it into the finals competition.
• Rhythm and Record- an app that allows consumers to upload their videos from live-music events.
• Felicks– a web-based toll that helps university students more effectively manage their financial, academic and social interests.
• Kristal and Kristen Clothing- a clothing line featuring clothing that can be worn multiple ways.
• Upside Down Bakery- a specialty bakery that focuses on college students and bake-sale fundraising.
• Geek’s Bakery and Grill- catering to the needs and interests of the geek community in Chicago.
• Wrapped in Goodness- a healthy food truck that offers crazy good lettuce wraps with a philanthropic attitude.
• Saarthis Rickshaws– a social enterprise designed to improve the working conditions of rickshaw drivers in Gorakphur, India. Saarthi made it to the finals with their solar-powered rickshaws and social thinking.
• Medi-Cig- a medicated cigarette designed to help people quit smoking
• Biofilters- manufactures biodegradable cigarette filters and packing peanuts
• Imprint- a personalized fabric softener sheet that you can scent with your own perfume or cologne
• Street Cheat– a mobile app developed for Chicago drivers to help save people time, money, and frustration associated with parking.
• Eventdrops– a hashtag event management system

The judges had a hard time deciding who the winners were, but after much deliberation:

ShySpa took home the undergraduate top finalist award.

Upside Down Bakery took home elevator pitch winner for undergrad and Fan Favorite.

Congratulations to all of our competitors. I hope that we see many more students take part next year in this fun event. Get more info on how to join the competition at business.uic.edu/c2v