March 01, 2009

Thanks to the generosity of Drexel Trustee Nina Henderson, we have an endowed fund that supports teaching Westphal students how to plan and run their own businesses. Each year, our students are encouraged to participate in the Nina Henderson Challenge, a two phase competition, which has students' first submitting concepts for their own businesses and then developing full business plans. We are excited to report that participation was up 100% in this year's Business Concept Competition. Join us in congratulating this year's winners: Novel Notions from Design & Merchandising students Stephanie Fortunato, Samantha Edwards, Antonella Durantine and Elise Shim; University Mobile Video Productions from Dylan Steinberg and Bruce Pinchbeck; Fresh Paint Skate Shop from Design & Merchandising students Julia Freidland, Amanda McPartland, Arianna Riccioni, Lesli Fonte and Dana Dougherty; and FreePhillyTix.com, from Arts Administration student Eugene Westbrook. The Novel Nations and University Mobile Video Productions teams placed in the Top 10 on a university-wide basis and will be presenting at the Baiada Center's Pitch Competition where three winners will be selected.

The Henderson Challenge now moves on to the Business Plan Phase. Westphal students submitting detailed business plans compete for cash prizes of $3000 (1st place), $2000(2nd) and $1000 (3rd); participation in the Concept Phase is not a requirement. The deadline for entrée is May 4th and you can register to participate here. If you're thinking that you may want to start your own business when you graduate, the experience of creating a business plan is indispensible. And top entrees from the Henderson Business Plan competition are frequently chosen to participate in the Baiada Center's Business Plan Incubator Competition where the prizes range from $12,000 to $4,000. Click here for more information on the Incubator Competition.