November 14, 2007

Capone-Almon declared winner in East Haven

Ms. April Capone-Almon had a stunning victory in the mayoral race for East Haven. She made a great stride by beating the incumbent mayor!  Ms. Capone began her MBA at SCSU in fall, 2002 and graduated from the program in fall, 2004. To see Ms. Capone-Almon's website, click here, to see the New Haven Register article about her victory, click here.

December 8, 2006

CONNECTICUT VENTURE GROUP ANNOUNCES WINNERS FOR "YOU BELONG IN CONNECTICUT" BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION FOR CONNECTICUT UNIVERSITIES

Fairfield, CT- The Connecticut Venture Group today announced the winners of its "You Belong in Connecticut Business Plan Competition" in conjunction with the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). The finalists were selected from entries received from students attending Connecticut Universities in four categories- Undergrad Personal Business, Undergrad Venture Enterprise, Graduate Personal Business and Graduate Venture Enterprise.

Finalist gave a 4-minute presentation today at the New Haven Lawn Club to a panel of judges- John Kreitler from Shimpman & Goodwin LLP who has overseen multiple venture deals during his career, John Warburg of Warbros Venture Partners who has funded over 24 start-up businesses and Steve Higgins, Business Editor at the New Haven Register. Each business was judged on a clear definition of its product/service, definition of the market, its competitive advantage, financing structure and funding sources. Each winner received a $1,000 unrestricted grant from the Connecticut Venture Group and an exhibit opportunity at a CVG meeting.

The winners were:

Cultural Weddings addresses the underserved market in Connecticut for weddings which highlight specific cultural needs. The first four markets they plan to serve are the Asian, African-American, Native American and Hispanic. Project Air Jacket is a device designed for motorcycle riders that provides a higher level of protection in case of accident. Off The Wall Greeting Cards combines greeting cards with the personalization of scrapbooking to send unique and keepsake oversized cards. EarthGuard LLC has a patent pending technology for a biodegradable product that can be used in lieu of plastic.

Over 22 business proposals were submitted to CVG for consideration from 7 Connecticut colleges and universities. "This is a unique opportunity for students first to take their idea through the business plan and funding process it also gives them monies towards their business ideas and exposure to Venture Capitalists and Angel Investors who may in turn fund their plan as well," said Mike Roer, Executive Director of CVG. "We hold the competition twice a year and work with professors at the Universities to promote student entrepreneurship in Connecticut," added Roer.

Connecticut Venture Group is a non-profit professional association of Venture Capitalists that has served to connect members with high-growth, emerging companies in Connecticut for over 30 years. For more information contact CVG on the web at www.cvg.org or at 203 256-5955.