For the very first time the 2020 Rohrer New Venture Competition for student entrepreneurs was moved online, made necessary by the current stay-at-home regulations enacted for the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual competition hosted by Rowan University brings together students from all disciplines as a challenge for them to create a viable business plan to be judged by a panel of successful business leaders and executives for a cash prize.
The winning team this year was ChronoCare, who took home a prize of $4000 for their mobile app and desktop analytics software platform for use in hospital compliance with government mandated treatment protocols. The prize money enables the top teams to realize their business plan and help make it a reality.
The other winners included SafeQuest, who took home the 2nd place prize for $2,000, and Generazione, who won 3rd place prize and received $1,000. Honorable mentions went to both Konay Spice and Biodome. Each team went through a series of workshops to ensure their business plan was well prepared for the competition. Rowan faculty and staff were involved throughout.
Though the competition finals usually attract an audience of over 250 attendees who add energy and excitement, the virtual presenting teams felt the virtual finals had an excitement of its own. Whether one of the top competing teams or not, the competition is seen as a way for all participants to gain skills and experience that will be helpful to them in their careers or other collaborative and competitive arenas.
