Success Stories

Nevada’s Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition has significant impact in three areas:

  • Encouraged student team members to start companies
  • Improved students general business skills vis-à-vis future entrepreneurial activities and employment
  • Influenced Nevada’s colleges and universities to add entrepreneurship programs

Student-Formed Companies

  • 2005 - The Cutting Room – Finalist Katie Koll started this successful business, sold it, and is now exploring new entrepreneurial opportunities.  The Cutting Room is still operating successfully in Las Vegas. (www.thecuttingroomlv.com)
  • 2006 - Berkeley Sourcing Group - Second place winner Greg Fisher created a manufacturing management company now with offices in Berkeley, CA and China that  provides design and engineering support, sourcing and manufacturing, quality control and supply chain management. (www.berkeleysg.com)
  • 2006 - Austro Art Gallery - Participant Jose Antonio Bahna and his brother are currently operating this art gallery in Scottsdale, AZ.
  • 2007 - EVO Fuels - Second place winner (and Lt. Governor’s Award first place winner)  Mark Lemos is currently earning his Masters degree in Biotechnology at the University of Nevada Reno, and plans to move forward with EVO Fuels upon graduation.  EVO goal is to provide Economically Viable Options (EVO) for Fuels by providing affordable feedstock for alternative fuels.  (www.evofuels.com)

General Business Skills

Perhaps the most important impact of the Governor’s Cup is to improve the students’ overall business skills, which in turn better prepares them for future entrepreneurial endeavors or employment.

The improvement in student business skills is best illustrated by the number of teams who have entered the competition more than once.  Several first-time teams submitted business plans only to perform badly.  Working with the judges’ feedback, they then created new business plans which they entered the next year and won!

Here are some comments from students about the value of participating in the Governor’s Cup:

  • Greg Fisher – Berkeley Sourcing Group – 2006 Second Place Graduate Competition

“For those students who may not be opening their own businesses, this competition gives them the chance to put their education to a real life test and create the finance, marketing, etc parts of a business plan.  Some future bankers, accountants, marketing people may come in contact with a business plan at some point in their professional career.  The networking opportunities were tremendous-the sponsors, judges, other students and faculty, and guests in attendance.”

  • David Kellen – Safe Ride Enterprises – 2006 Third Place Undergraduate Competition:

“I recently was hired by a company that I very much wanted to work for.  I put the fact that I won second place at the Governor’s Cup on my resume and I feel that this was helpful in getting the job.  I also provided my potential employer with a copy of my plan so that they could get an idea of my skill level and abilities.  Just the fact that someone competed in this type of competition can impress employers when students start to look for a job after graduation.”

  • Ty Jones – DevAuth Inc.–  2006 Third Place Graduate Competition

“I would highly recommend this competition to other students.  Win or lose, this is a great learning experience.  It’s also a great way to meet successful entrepreneurs and investors.  And it’s a lot of fun! “

College and University Entrepreneurship Programs

  • Great Basin College – Created an “Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Business Administration — Entrepreneurial Emphasis”
  • University of Nevada, Las Vegas – Created the “Center for Entrepreneurship”
  • University of Nevada, Reno - College of Business Administration is considering a Minor in Entrepreneurship
  • Truckee Meadow Community College – Created an “Entrepreneurs Club”
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