The developer of software that transforms cell phones into automated security devices and a student team that uses peer pressure to help lower employers’ health care costs last week were named the winners of the 2007 Rhode Island Business Plan Competition.
This year’s winners were chosen from among 40 applicants from seven states. They are:
• In the entrepreneur track, Campus Guardian Corp., led by Michael Glier of Jamestown. The company’s software turns GPS-enabled cell phones into personal security devices that can automatically notify a college or university security force.
• In the student track, Providence Health Solutions LLC, founded by Brown University medical students Brad Weinberg and Rajiv Kumar. A workplace wellness program, Providence Health relies on a peer approach and exercise competitions to motivate behavior change and weight loss.
Each was awarded prizes valued at $62,500, including cash and services from Ocean State companies and organizations.
The May 1 announcement came during a special meeting of the Brown Forum for Enterprise, held at the R.I. Convention Center in conjunction with the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Business Expo 2007.
It was preceded by brief presentations by all six finalists. In the entrepreneur track, they were Campus Guardian; Tizra Inc., led by David Durand of Providence, which is developing a hosted service to ease management of PDFs, and on May 1 announced an $500,000 investment by the Slater Technology Fund; and Ultimo Measurement, led by Lubrano of Scituate, developer of a non-invasive measurement technology for liquids and loose solids. In the student track, they were Providence Health; Sonicfoam LLC, led by Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering student Lindsay Redmond, which is developing a toxin-free process for producing polyurethane foam surfboards; and Zapdot Interactive LLC, led by Syracuse University computer science student Michael Carriere, which is developing a subscription-based service for competitive online gamers.
“The exceptionally high quality of the finalist entries posed a strong challenge to the judges,” said competition co-chair Garrett B. Hunter, president of the Business Development Company of Rhode Island. “Based on the originality, zeal and potential of all the plans submitted,” added contest co-chair Charles Kingdon, Brown University associate vice president for the Brown Technology Partnerships, “it’s fair to say Rhode Island will be a big winner in the months and years ahead.”
Additional information is available at www.ri-bizplan.com.
