{"id":16738,"date":"2025-03-19T16:04:12","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T21:04:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/business\/?p=16738"},"modified":"2025-03-20T15:42:58","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T20:42:58","slug":"2025-new-ventures-business-competition-winners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/business\/2025-new-ventures-business-competition-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 New Ventures Business Competition Winners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nine teams of Lubar student entrepreneurs competed in the 2025 La Macchia New Venture Business Plan Competition<\/strong>, gaining invaluable mentorship and feedback from successful entrepreneurs and business consultants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lubar College of Business student entrepreneurs presented their plans and responded to questions from a panel of expert judges. Long-time supporters Bill and the late Sharon La Macchia have supported the competition since 2008. Bill La Macchia is the founder of Mark Travel Corporation and Trisept Solutions, global leaders in travel services and travel technology (now with Apple Leisure Group). This year\u2019s top honors went to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First Prize: Strategic Edge AI<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The $15,000 first-prize winner is Strategic Edge AI, <\/strong>owned by Ed Foote<\/strong>, a graduate student in the Lubar College\u2019s investment management certificate program.Strategic Edge AI is a financial technology company that develops modular, customizable artificial intelligence tools for equity research and financial analysis for mid-sized and smaller asset management firms. The tools will accelerate the equity research process, analysis and decision making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second Prize: Automated Labor & Solutions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In its early stages, Automated Labor & Solutions Smart<\/strong>\u00a0is the $7,500 second-prize winner. Automated Labor & Solutions Smart will bring to market an off-the-shelf\u00a0automated solution to unskilled labor costs and productivity, manufacturing automation costs,\u00a0and conversion time.\u00a0The venture was started by Devan Dorzok, who is currently working on his bachelor\u2019s degree in business administration and management.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third Prize: Red Yeti Racing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Cerny\u2019s (\u201920 MBA) <\/strong>Red Yeti Racing took the $5,000 third prize. The company’s first product, the Tire DRYR (trademark pending), is an accessory for air compressors. The portable tool removes moisture from the air entering a car\u2019s tires, reducing deterioration and improving performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Competition<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The La Macchia New Venture Business Plan Competition was launched in 2008 to simulate the real-world process of entrepreneurs soliciting start-up funds from early-stage investors and venture capital firms. UWM students and recent graduates who enter the contest must demonstrate a market opportunity, unique benefits, competitive advantage, clear operational and marketing strategies, and financial viability, and are judged by a panel of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The competition is directed by\u00a0Steven Michael,<\/strong>\u00a0Bostrom Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and supported by several successful entrepreneurs and experts who served as judges, mentors, and workshop presenters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following served on the panel of judges for the competition:<\/p>\n\n\n\n