Awards:
Elevator Pitch
1st place in the 2005 National Elevator Pitch Competition sponsored by C.E.O.;$2,500 prize
I must say winning this award was one of the best moments in my college career, if not my life. In the preliminary round, I competed against approximately 60 other college students from around the country. Twelve students were selected for the final round which was held in the main ballroom and in front of the entire conference attendees – approximately 1,100 people. To say I was a bit nervous is an understatement. But, I could just picture myself on stage accepting the 1st place award and with that image in my head, when they called my name; I jumped onto stage and delivered the best pitch I have ever given in my life. It was exhilarating, it was scary, it was nerve-racking and it was beautiful. I delivered the pitch with perfect accuracy and when I was done, the applause went for so long the student behind me had to wait on stage until it stopped. I felt bad for him. I suspected I would place, but honestly I didn’t think I would take 1st place. I thought I would take 3rd or maybe even 2nd. When they announced my name as the 1st place winner, I jumped so high I could have qualified for the NBA. It was amazing to step onto stageas the champion, and be handed a check for $2,500. I gave a humble speech thanking everyone who had helped me develop my elevator pitch skills and then proceeded to call my parents. It was a wonderful night. To see the pitch, please click here. 3rd place in the 2005 Neat Ideas Fair at SJSU Executive Summary Competition The executive summary submitted for this competition was for Global Educational Program and my team and I were very pleased to receive this. It gave us the motivation we needed to write a complete business plan for the 2006 SVBPC which we ultimately placed 2nd in and won $5,000. 2nd place in the 2004 Neat Ideas Fair at SJSU Executive Summary Competition The executive summary submitted for this competition was for an idea I had called the Rcard. The idea was to sale a card that a consumer could use to track their receipts, thus, illuminating the need for paper receipts. It was a good idea, however, I determined that there was no real value proportion of the merchant so I shelved the idea. 2nd place in the 2004 Neat Ideas Fair at SJSU Elevator Pitch Competition This was also for the Rcard idea. Again, it was a great idea on paper but in practicality, it wouldn’t be feasible. It was a great chance for me to proactive my elevator pitch skills though! |
Business Plan
2nd place in the 2006 Silicon Valley Business Plan Competition at SJSU;$5,000 prize
After many months and late nights of writing a very comprehensive and detailed business plan for Global Educational Program in my senior year at SJSU, our team was chosen for the final round of the SVBPC out of approximately 50 entrants. In the final round, we gave a 10 minute presentation to a panel of seasoned Venture Capitalists and entrepreneurs and were asked a barrage of questions. We competed against seven other teams and were fortunate enough to take 2nd place which a purse of $5,000 which was to be used to turn our business plan into an actual company. It was ultimately the seed funding for Global Educational Program, LLC. 1st place in Bryant College 2002 Best Idea Challenge This award was the first award I won on my collegiate journal and it was for phastcash.com. We had just launched the company and winning this award was a tremendous motivator for me and my team and was exactly the type of reward we needed after working so hard to launch the company and go live with the website. It certainly contributed to me “catching the entrepreneurial bug.” |
Leadership
SJSU College of Business 2006 Diridon Leadership Award; $1,000 prize
Being recognized for leadership within the College of Business community was quite an honor. I had always dedicated my time to the college simply because I like to be involved and make a difference. But to be rewarded for my efforts was quite nice. SJSU College of Business 2005 Leadership Impact Award; $1,000 prize This award was a complete surprise to me; I didn’t even know such an award existed. I was recognized for my leadership as President of the Entrepreneurial Society. I lead the team that turned the club around from an 8 member group to approximate 50 members within just 2 semesters and from obscurity to a name recognized across the entire campus – not just the College of Business. SJSU College of Business 2005 Outstanding Entrepreneurial Society Member; $500 prize This award was similar to the Leadership Impact Award and I was awarded this for similar reasons. However, it was granted to me the faculty advisor for the Entrepreneurial Society – Prof. Anu Basu. 2003 Entrepreneurial Advocate Award; Bryant College, Global Entrepreneur Program In addition to starting phastcash.com while at Bryant College, I was an active member of the Global Entrepreneurial Program and participated in many of the events and programs offer by the program. I also recruited fellow students to join the program and was awarded the Advocate Award for my participation and dedication to the program. 3rd place in the 2003 New England Collegiate Entrepreneur Competition;$500 prize I was awarded 3rd place in this regional competition for successfully launching a company while still in college – phastcash.com. This competition was only applicable to student entrepreneurs and my team and I were very fortunate to place in this large and competitive competition. Special consideration was given to companies that contributed to the betterment of society and as phastcash.com recruited students for paid clinical studies in the fields of medicine and science, we were particular proud of this one. |
