CMU student places first in Michigan Collegiate Startup Challenge

Students across the state of Michigan joined together at Central Michigan University for a chance to win prizes up to $5,000 on Oct. 20.

20 teams from CMU, Western Michigan University, Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, and Michigan Technological University began setting up to give their elevator pitch.

Top eight teams made it to the final round, and competed at the Grand Startup challenge in the evening.

Glenn Cross, one of the judges of the elevator pitch, thought it was amazing to listen to different teams' ideas and future businesses.

“It was inspiring,” Cross said. “I hope they get a lot of feedback and a lot of positive affirmation around their projects that gives them the extra fuel needed to take their business to the next level.”

Winners of MCSC:

• 1^st place winner of $5,000: Rasegan Outdoor Company, Central Michigan Student Robert Rasegan
• 2^nd place winner of $3,500: Lead You Home, Central Michigan student David Abilez
• 3^rd place winner of $2,000: Eventifide, Central Michigan student Erin Markovicz
• 4^th place winner of $1,000: Foxpops, Michigan State students Shaurya Pandya and Shubham Aggarwal
• People's choice of $500: Odin Classroom, Michigan State students Aman Dhruva Thamminana and Rajmeet Singh Chandok

Rasegan who pitched his business idea “Rasegan Outdoor Company” plans on using the money to help improve his business. 

“With the money we plan on looking at manufacturing options and looking at funds for advertising,” Rasegan said.

He thought MCSC was a great experience for all students.

“Being part of this was something bigger and just entrepreneurship itself,” he said. “It was great to compete with fellow students and students from other schools and we had a fun time doing it.”