From www.taylor.edu - Taylor University, integrating faith and learning

2009 Business Plan Competition

Entrepreneurship is the cornerstone of sustainable economic growth within a community and the best way to minimize the impact of ripples caused by economic fluctuations. Innovation is the driving force of the entrepreneur. Taylor University along with the Innovative Network of Grant County host an annual competition designed to encourage, identify, and assist local entrepreneurs with the most innovative and commercially viable business concepts.

The purposes of the Business Plan Competition are:

  • Encourage area entrepreneurs through cash prizes, planning support, and networking opportunities
  • Increase the awareness level of area investors about community-based innovators
  • Identify local entrepreneurs that might benefit from business incubation services
  • Help local businesses grow thereby impacting the local community job availability and tax base

2009 Winners:

Taking third place at the competition was Paradise Image. Paradise image has developed a novel pet bed which uses medical grade lighting to keep pets warm, comfortable, and happy. Citing research that pets too suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the company plans to market the product to upper income individuals and families seeking the best for their dogs and cats.

Daisy's Place, a business which provides daycare services for senior citizens in the Marion Area, came in second place. Daisy's Place seeks to enrich the community by providing top notch service for elderly individuals whose families have sporadic or daily commitments necessitating a temporary caretaker for their elderly loved one.

Taking first prize and seven thousand dollars was Indy Photo Coach, led by David Horton (TU Alum 06). Indy Photo Coach has identified a market need for small, intimate photography courses in the greater Indianapolis area. Specifically the business focuses on helping customers with high end Digital SLR cameras get the most out of their technology. Most courses operate on a four week class schedule offering participants greater flexibility and a more intimate classroom setting than traditional photography classes.

Undergraduate Award:

Each year one undergraduate business is selected as the undergraduate winner of the Taylor Business Plan Competition. The winner of this year's undergraduate award and cash prize of one thousand dollars was Greg Zimmerman, with Innovative Parts Distribution. Over the past two years, Greg has developed a business which leverages the power of the internet to help auto parts distributors and customers meet up in a more efficient, user friendly manner than traditional parts distriubution websites and businesses.

Congratulations to all our 2009 Taylor University Business Plan Competition Winners.

Details for next year's competition will be available late fall of 2009. For more information contact the program director here