By Mark Heller
GCU News Bureau
The Canyon Challenge, the annual entrepreneurial competition for Grand Canyon University students, prospective students and staff, just keeps getting more competitive. Now it has entries that already have proved successful — even internationally.
Storage Together, a Canyon Challenge finalist last year, is back after winning a competition last fall in Barcelona. Another 2016 finalist that's back in the mix is Lectric Longboards, which has shown signs of being a viable business as well. Both are eligible to re-enter the Challenge because they didn't win money last year.
Each finalist will present its business plan on March 28 in the Colangelo College of Business lecture hall. From there, five finalists will be selected by the Canyon Angels investment group to compete from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at GCU Arena for $15,000 in prize money, granted to the entries whose entrepreneurial ideas are judged to have the most potential.
The finalists
BIBU: Apartments and housing
Coloot: Crowdfunding platform to help fundraise entrepreneurial initiatives and ideas
Fades: On-the-go haircuts and personal grooming business
The Huub: Connect and communicate with fellow college students around college campuses
Lectric Longboards: Electronic skateboards and scooters
Outbound Explorer: Local “experts” who share their adventure stories and encourage others to explore the outdoors
Secured Together: Foster collaboration between public safety officials and the college campuses they help protect
Storage Together: Store your possessions with community members who have space to rent or share
Zenjoi: Uses a variety of virtual reality, visual and audio therapy techniques to help Alzheimer’s patients
Alternates:
Drone Initiative: Using drones to deliver packages and other types of mail
Parvatii: Website to help plan dates and recreational activities
Contact Mark Heller at (602) 639-7516 or [email protected]
