May 16, 2014

The award-winners have been announced for the 2014 Nina Henderson Business Challenge, which recently engaged 9 teams composed of 25 Westphal College students from across five College programs. The Nina Henderson Challenge provides a unique opportunity for Westphal students to develop their creative ideas into viable start-up businesses through the creation of complete business plans, which are judged by industry professionals.

First Prize was awarded to SURPL, a concert ticket overstock vendor available through a mobile app and web experience that connects live music lovers with local events, providing convenience and cost effectiveness. The team of Music Industry Program students William Lindsay, Erica Stone and Lindsay Alexander will receive a $5,000 cash prize. SURPL also received Second Place out of six finalists in Drexel’s Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship’s Ian J. Berg Competition, the University-wide business plan competition, and was awarded a $2,000 cash prize. Our congratulations to William, Erica and Lindsay for being the best of the best not only at Westphal, but in a competition open to all Drexel students.

Design & Merchandising students Andrew Corey and Ava Kravitz received Second Prize in the Nina Henderson Business Challenge and $4,000 for OptimEyes, a reinvented sophisticated and simple eyeglass case, featuring a built-in retractable contact lens case. Third Prize and $3,000 was awarded to Design & Merchandising students Melissa Lamp, Eliza Truscott, Giuliana Marcucci and Lindsay Brock for TechKnow, a personalized computer education service that teaches adult clients how to use software for personal use and work skills enhancement.