UK Students Make Good Showing at Idea State U

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 21, 2010) − A strong showing was turned in by several students from the University of Kentucky's Gatton College of Business and Economics, and UK's College of Engineering at this past weekend’s Idea State U - Kentucky Student Business Concept and Business Plan Competition in Lexington.

In the undergraduate business plan competition, UK's team, "WARPT Displays," took second place honors, earning a total of $7,728.95 in award money.  This team was comprised of four senior engineering students and two senior business students. 

"The cross-functional team illustrated the importance of collaboration even at the undergraduate level," said Holly Hapke, who teaches in Gatton's School of Management, and served as faculty adviser for the UK students competing in Idea State U.

The business plan team included Garrett Ebel, management and decision information sciences major from Leavenworth, Kansas;  Andrew Goodale, management and marketing major from Madisonville; Sam Nicaise, electrical engineering major from Covington; Michael Carrico, electrical and computer engineering major from Independence;  Jeremy Elias, electrical engineering major from Paducah; and, Reagan Miller, electrical and computer engineering major from Shelbyville.

WARPT Displays has developed technology to cost effectively transform any previously installed window or free-standing project surface into an interactive touch screen.  While capacitive touch sensing is widely used in mobile devices, it is cost prohibitive for large installations.  WARPT Displays' touch screens are designed to not only revolutionize the way companies and customers think about in-store marketing, but also entertainment and community outreach.  In addition to hardware, WARPT Displays will also develop customizable software applications that allow customers to systematically reach their target customers through interactive commercials, video games, downloadable coupons, and other applications.

Hapke was recognized with a $1,000 award as the top advisor among all the schools represented.

Even though Gatton's entry in the undergraduate concept plan, “Green Generation,” did not place, the one-man team of Mitchell Mazzaro, a senior economics major from Cincinnati, Ohio, drew high praise for his forward thinking, energy, and passion. 

Hapke said, "All of our teams benefitted tremendously from the rigor of the competition, and the opportunity to refine their concepts and plans in light of the feedback and support provided."

Teams representing all eight of Kentucky's public universities took part in the competition.