Claflin University to Host "Entrepreneurial Student Leaders" Fourth Annual Business Plan Competition

On March 20, Claflin University students will compete for cash prizes at the 4th Annual Entrepreneurship Business Plan Competition. Developed in 2014, the competition is loosely modeled after the popular ABC television show "Shark Tank."

Claflin University was one of the first schools in South Carolina to create such an innovative and substantive business plan competition that has resulted in market ready products for commercialization. "Claflin University believes that the world needs visionaries, and these visionaries have definitely arrived on our campus in the form of the next generation of innovative entrepreneurs across academic disciplines," said Dr. Robin Davis, assistant professor of management in the School of Business and coordinator of the Business Plan Competition.

In 2015, Michael DeVore, '15, a business administration major, led the top-placing team but the members of the team included students from accounting, finance, marketing and computer science. DeVore's product, a Barber Shop app called "Live Chair," is now in the Apple store.

In 2016, the winning concept, called "Body Barrier," was developed by Angelo Hornsby, '16, a business management major and Xavier Robertson, '16, a biology major. They developed body recovery performance wear for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. They used the prize money and invested it directly into their company. Body Barrier Wear will launch on March 22.

Cash prizes for the winners are:
- First place - $5,000
- Second place - $3,000
- Third place - $1,250
- Fourth place - $500
- Fifth place - $300

There are seven teams competing this year and they are excited to share their innovative ideas with the world. The students have been preparing for the competition since September 2016.