What

The UNLV Lee Business School and the Las Vegas Business Press will announce the winners of the 2013 Southern Nevada Business Plan Competition. Teams of aspiring entrepreneurs have been competing since September to bring their business idea to fruition.

Four of the five finalists are student-led teams from the UNLV Business School. The winning team will receive more than $70,000 in cash and prizes to help them begin their new business, including accounting and legal services.

When

Friday, Feb. 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Winner to be announced around 7 p.m.

Where

Home of Dominic Marrocco, 6740 Tomiyasu Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89120

Valet parking will be available.

Details

Finalists will give a 60-second elevator pitch of their business plan to the audience.
Finalists include the following teams:

• CamSa Pharmaceuticals, LLC., a start-up company that is researching, developing and commercializing the first and only preventative medication for treating Clostridium Difficile, (C-Diff) one of the fastest growing epidemics in America. C-Diff spores can be contracted anytime a patient is in a hospital, nursing home, surgery center or other similar facility. The technology was developed by UNLV bioorganic chemist Ernesto Abel-Santos. Team members include UNLV students Todd Pierson, Tony Fleming, Hao Li Katelyn Orr, Joe Minelli and Marcell Solomon.

• Hope LBC is a web-based cancer news network that presents clinical trial information to cancer patients in a way that people with no medical training will understand. The network will help patients connect to new clinical trials and other treatment options. It is the brainchild of community member Jeff Moskow. When Moskow was diagnosed with kidney cancer he was frustrated with the highly technical medical information provided to cancer patients and wanted to create a network that would inform, aid and empower those affected by cancer. Team members include UNLV students Ryan Rollo, Elliot Moskow, Walter Toy, George Pierce and Deanna Walley.

• SEG (Sports Entertainment Gear)- This team created noise-activated, light up T-shirts, earrings, pom-poms and other "Game Day" apparel. SEG hopes to sell a growing line of shirts, hats, noisemakers and more to college and professional teams worldwide. As a Collegiate Licensed Product, they are selling apparel for UNLV, UNR and Michigan State University. The team members are UNLV students Travis Williams, Brian Harge and Meghan McGaugh.

• EcoBoss16 aims to change the way agricultural crops are produced. The company has created an all-natural product that aims to enhance soil and create the perfect environment. This group provides a green alternative to the chemical fertilizers that damage the environment and cause a wide range of health problems with the run off from farm products affects rivers, streams and wildlife. The team's goal is to create an avenue for urban areas, and poor and third world countries to sustainably feed their population through locally produced crops. EcoBoss16 was created by UNLV undergraduate student Eric Morse.

• Seasons Funeral Services. Community member Allison Copening created consulting services for people planning funerals. She shows clients the services from a selection of homes and can plan an entire event for a family, taking that responsibility away if they chose.

Judges include:

• Mark Brennan and Ian McNeil, principals, Brennan Capital Partners

• William Botts, Director at Pure Forge, Inc.

• Andy White, Partner of Vegas Tech Fund

• Jim Wright, executive editor, Las Vegas Business Press

The Southern Nevada Business Plan Competition began in 2010 to help Las Vegas diversify its economy. The competition is committed to identifying and growing the best idea for a new business in Southern Nevada and is sponsored by the UNLV Center for Entrepreneurship at the Lee Business School and the Las Vegas Business Press.

Media

Media are invited to cover the event.