UofL teams sweep Idea State contest

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Two University of Louisville College of Business student teams won a total of $50,000 at Idea State U, a statewide business plan contest April 24-25 designed to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.

Engagely, whose website security system allows users to forgo typing fuzzy letters and numbers into a box to verify they are human, won the contest, earning $30,000. Two UofL doctoral students developed proprietary algorithms for the system being marketed by team members Chris Shelton, Ben Gries and Gil Roberts.

Homegrown Brewing Co., which is pitching a microbrewery concept that selects its products by having craft beer drinkers vote on their favorite local beers, took second place, earning $20,000. Team members are Matt Teives and Kelly Crush.

Twenty-four teams from colleges and universities around the state took part in the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development-sponsored competition in Lexington.

Students on both UofL teams are pursuing an entrepreneurship MBA and were coached by UofL entrepreneurship faculty members Van Clouse, Suzanne Bergmeister and Sharon Kerrick.

For more details, see the contest website or contact Clouse at 502-724-7320 or van.clouse@louisville.edu