UNLV’s WATTs Team Scores Another Win!

After twelve of the top collegiate teams from Arkansas, Nevada and Oklahoma vied for honors of best undergraduate and graduate business plans, the winners were announced to more than 150 attendees at the Awards Gala at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas on May 15 where the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation awarded $90,000 in prize money during the inaugural Tri-State Donald W. Reynolds Cup. The Tri-State Competition is co-produced by NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology.

UNLV’s WATTs team took second place — and the $15,000 cash prize — in the undergraduate competition, after being named Nevada’s first place undergraduate team AND winning the NCED Commissioners’ Award for the business plan that best addressed the economic development needs of rural Nevada. WATT’s team members are Keeton Little, Josh Beilin and Kyle George and their Faculty Advisor is Janet Runge.

Waste-Alternative Transformation Technologies, LLC (WATTs) was developed to provide a holistic approach to the waste management and energy issues facing modern urban communities. By utilizing a multi-faceted approach that maximizes usable products extracted from municipal, commercial and industrial waste, WATTs will reduce the ecological burden on traditional landfills while producing clean, sustainable energy and energy products that do not rely upon fossil fuel sources.

The first place undergraduate prize and $25,000 was awarded to Nantiox from the University of Oklahoma.

In the graduate competition, first place and the $25,000 cash prize when to MerchantEyes from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville. Second place went to Perpetual Pharmaceuticals from University of Oklahoma.

“These talented students and dedicated faculty embody the great entrepreneurial spirit for which (state) has long been admired,” said Dave Archer, NCET’s CEO. “I thank them for their dedication in this endeavor; this is a true testament to the bright future of our state and its business leaders.”

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