3 Day Startup Pitch presentations set for Feb. 26

February 17, 2017

Posted in Events

Student entrepreneurs present their business ideas during 3 Day Startup.

The Georgia Southern University Business Innovation Group (BIG) invites the community to hear the latest ideas from today’s young minds during the annual 3 Day Startup (3DS) Pitch Presentations set for Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Information Technology Building on campus. 3DS is a weekend-long program that recruits college students from a variety of different backgrounds while encouraging them get their hands dirty, validate products and build prototypes in just three days. On the first day, participants arrive with their most promising ideas for new companies. Some bring pre-built technology that is waiting to be commercialized, while others bring napkins with ideas written on them. Throughout the weekend, participants shape and craft their innovations into pitches that are presented to a panel of judges and in front of a live audience. This year’s judges are Costas Simoglou, director of Energy Technology at the Georgia Department of Economic Development; Jacqui Chew, Go-to-Market Expert Entrepreneurship ATDC; Rick Robins, CEO Boro,Toombs and Candler TakeOutExpress; and Thomas McAdams, recently retired as VP/Site Manager of BASF Corporation’s McIntosh, AL chemical operation. Part of what makes 3DS so impactful are the mentors from different areas of expertise who work with the students throughout the weekend. Mentors this year include:

Patrick Bentley – emerging industries project manager for the Savannah Economic Development Authority
Mike Scarpati – owner of Cool Savannah Tours and Gifts. Entrepreneurial, customer focused Business Leader with diverse experience in the specialty chemical industry experience in North America and Asia
Maria Alba Flores, Ph.D. – associate professor in the Georgia Southern Department of Electrical Engineering since 2008
David Jiang, Ph.D. – assistant professor of entrepreneurship at Georgia Southern University
Yvonne Jouffrault – an institutional investment professional-turned-tech-entrepreneur and investor. She serves as the Advanced Technology Development Center’s (ATDC) Savannah Entrepreneur-in-Residence
Jill Johns – serial entrepreneur who enjoys partnering with those who have a penchant for improvement
Aron Pease – first year writing student at Georgia Southern University
Caleb Mock – Mechanical Engineering Graduate from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He’s currently working as Quality Engineer at Koyo Bearings in Sylvania and is in charge of ensuring that 600,000 bearings a week make it out of the plant without any defects.

Since its inception, 3DS has hosted more than 300 programs across six continents and has launched scores of startups, collectively raising millions of dollars in funding. Dozens of 3DS innovations are accepted into prestigious accelerator and incubator programs. The event is provided at no cost to the students. BIG depends on sponsors like Coca Cola, Krispy Kreme, The Downtown Statesboro Development Authority, El Jalepeno, Little Italy, and The Clubhouse to help offset costs of meals and drinks for the weekend. This event would not be possible without BIG partnerships with the College of Business and the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Information Technology. To volunteer or get involved with the event, please contact Suzanne Hallman at shallman@georgiasouthern.edu. For more information about 3DS, visit georgiasouthern.3daystartup.org. Please come be a part of the audience to support and cheer on these amazing students as they pitch their businesses in a shark-tank style presentation.

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