Visionary Ventures
A page within Menard Family Initiative
Visionary Ventures
We were thrilled to host our third annual Entrepreneurship Research Conference on October 10th and 11th, 2024. We invited students to showcase their business ideas or innovations through poster presentations during the Student Poster Sessions, Visionary Ventures. This year, we welcomed Garrett Lauderdale, Vice President and local venture capitalist with the Idea Fund, as one of our distinguished judges for the student poster competition.
Posters were rated by CBA faculty, fellow students, academic experts on entrepreneurship, and Garrett Lauderdale, Vice President of the Idea Fund and local venture capitalist. The Idea Fund generously matched the MFI's $500 contribution to the first-place winner. This was an excellent opportunity to gain recognition for innovative ideas and receive valuable feedback from industry experts and fellow students.
Our Visionary Ventures presentation winners:
1. Kiara Lyons, TJ Medical Supplies, $1,000
“TJ’s is a small business based around the concept of helping people in their day-to-day lives battling with medical circumstances. Created in honor of my Grandfather, Tom Jones, we aim to create affordable and useful medical accessories for any need. The current focus is an Ostomy Bag cover to allow users better comfort, durability, and ease of use. The durable leather, unique cut, and lining allow the cover to be used and keep up with you no matter what life throws at you.”
2. Madeline Marino, Nothern Lights Vacation Services - Idea Fund scholarship recipient, $500
“Northern Lights is a Comprehensive Vacation Home Service focused on enhancing vacation experiences in the Midwest. The idea started in my hometown of Tomahawk, Wisconsin, as I noticed many families with vacation homes would spend their weekends cleaning and doing work on the home, instead of enjoying their time off and making memories. The vision is to provide convenience by ensuring vacation homes are cleaned, fully stocked, and maintained before the owners arrive, allowing them to relax and enjoy their time without worrying about errands and upkeep.”
3. Ella Poeschel, Sustaina- Heat, $200
“Sustaina- Heat is a sustainable heating band that focuses on improving the lives of women during their menstrual cycles. This is essentially a heating band that you can wrap around your back/stomach that is battery operated. You can adjust the tightness like a belt and keep it on when you move around, creating a product that would be high in value for all women. The Heating Band is a timeless innovation that can be used for ages by providing accessible comfort.”
Each poster addressed:
- Overview & Fit: Highlight why you or your team is uniquely qualified to solve this problem, showcasing relevant expertise and experience.
- Problem, Solution & Differentiation: Define the problem, present the solution, and explain how it stands out from current competitors.
- Market Opportunity & Business Model: Outline the market size, target customer profile, and the business model for capturing value.
- Next Steps: Detail the immediate actions needed to validate the idea and advance the project forward.
