Startup Vikes Offers Pathway for Entrepreneurs and Social Enterprises

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Four student businesses were awarded top prizes at 51ĀŅĀ×’s third annual Startup Vikes competition. The three-day ā€œboot camp,ā€ which ended Sunday, assists students in developing a business idea, forming teams, building prototypes and ultimately launching a business.

The winning firms received a cash infusion and prize packages, including time at local business accelerators. The top prize of $2,000 went to Avicenna Medical Technology, a medical software company developing smart scheduling solutions to increase health care efficiency and reduce costs. Second place was awarded to Vitay, a health food vending machine maker, and third place went to 3Rs Housing Development a mortgage company focused on low income housing. In addition, FairConnect, an interactive service that places interns with small businesses and start-ups won the social enterprise award.

ā€œWe are very proud of all of the businesses and social enterprises developed during Startup Vikes,ā€ said Colette Hart, senior director for the Centers of Outreach and Engagement in 51ĀŅĀ×’s Monte Ahuja College of Business. ā€œThe weekend provides a pathway for entrepreneurship – one that we hope all of our teams will continue to pursue.ā€

ā€œ51ĀŅĀ× is playing a central role in Cleveland’s entrepreneurship ecosystem,ā€ said Shannon Lyons, executive vice president of FlashStarts and co-facilitator of Startup Vikes. ā€œThe level of participation from Cleveland State students, faculty and staff was fantastic and helped make for a great weekend.ā€