bionj mba business plan competition

The Report provides an overview of  BioNJ's Inaugural Health Equity in Clinical Trials MBA Business Plan Case Competition , which took place on December 3, 2022 , at Rutgers Business School and features highlights from all the submitted business plans, summaries of proposals that received top awards, and learnings from the inaugural competition.  The competition was designed to promote the next generation of diverse clinical trial innovators and identify innovative approaches and successful models that can be used nationally to strengthen diversity in clinical trials and expand health equity. Awards to the top three teams were based on written proposals and in-person pitches evaluated by a panel of expert judges. Case prizes totaled $20,500 . A  digital resume book  documents the breadth of academic and professional diversity within and across the competing teams.

BioNJ is committed to the vision of Health Equity for All. In 2022, the organization launched its  Health Equity in Clinical Trials Initiative  to identify long-term interventions, support companies to improve equity in their clinical trials, consider best practices and shape and impact policy.  As part of this Initiative, BioNJ also introduced this first-of-its-kind MBA Business Plan Case Competition.  Months of planning, drawing on resources from other health-related case competitions, conducting outreach to MBA programs and engaging content experts as steering committee members and judges preceded the launch.

In addition to the release of  "Health Equity in Clinical Trials MBA Business Case Competition: Identifying Innovative Approaches to Strengthening Diversity Within Clinical Trials"   at BioNJ's BioPartnering Conference, the three winning teams –  1) Johns Hopkins University , 2) Rutgers University and 3) a combined team of Baylor College of Medicine , Northwestern University & Rice University  – presented their business plans to potential partners, collaborators and investors. One of BioNJ's signature events, the BioPartnering Conference brings together hundreds of life sciences executives, investors, academic collaborators and business development professionals for networking, 1-1 partnering, company and start-up pitch presentations, exhibits and plenary sessions.

"Created to grow the ecosystem and bolster medical innovation, the Conference is the perfect opportunity for our students to meet mentors, uncover possible career opportunities and move their proposed solutions forward by identifying potential partners," said Debbie Hart , President and CEO, BioNJ. "Although ultimately three winning teams were presented with cash prizes, each of our participating teams has the potential to make a difference for Patients by offering new models and technologies to better serve Patients, build community trust and address gaps in healthcare delivery. We are excited to present all of the team proposals in our Report."

"Only by improving diversity in clinical trials will we be able to deepen our understanding of the safety and efficacy of medicines for all populations. I am extremely proud of our teams. Each of the business plans offered a unique out-of-the-box solution – helping advance our ambition to leave no Patient behind." said Amadou Diarra, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Global Policy, Advocacy & Government Affairs, Bristol Myers Squibb; Board Chair, BioNJ; and inaugural Chair of the BioNJ Health Equity in Clinical Trials Initiative.

Click here   for a copy of the Report.

In addition to thanking our extraordinary teams for their commitment and time, BioNJ would like to thank our Steering Committee; industry supporters, including Bristol Myers Squibb, Medidata, Amicus Therapeutics, PTC Therapeutics, Sanofi, Insmed, PsychoGenics, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Crowley Law , PhRMA and the Rare Disease Diversity Coalition as well as our expert judges and colleagues from the Kith Collective. It was only with their guidance and support that we have been able to bring this important initiative forward. For more information on BioNJ's Health Equity in Clinical Trials Initiative, visit  BioNJ.org/Health-Equity-Clinical-Trials .

About BioNJ BioNJ is the life sciences trade association for New Jersey , representing close to 400 research-based life sciences organizations and stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem from the largest biopharmaceutical companies to early-stage start-ups for 30 years. Because Patients Can't Wait®, BioNJ is dedicated to ensuring a vibrant ecosystem where Science is Supported, Companies are Created, Drugs are Developed and Patients Have Access to Lifesaving Medicines.

Recognized as a respected thought leader, an influential advocate and a sought-after convener of the life sciences industry, BioNJ works directly with legislative leaders in both Trenton and Washington D.C. to advance the life sciences industry, foster medical innovation and ensure health equity and healthcare affordability. With innovation as the driving force behind medical breakthroughs, BioNJ's mission is to help our Members help Patients by providing transformative resources, including access to government and industry leaders, capital and State incentives, timely educational programs, skilled talent and a value-driven purchasing program.

BioNJ is inspired by and privileged to work with those committed to improving the lives of Patients and their families around the world. For more information, visit  www.BioNJ.org .

Media Contact Randi Bromberg Sr. Vice President, Communications and Marketing O) 609-890-3185 C) 609-955-1067 [email protected]

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Inaugural Health Equity in Clinical Trials Business Plan Competition Held

BioNJ recently hosted an Inaugural Health Equity in Clinical Trials MBA Business Plan Case Competition on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Rutgers Business School. BioNJ’s Business Plan Case Competition, which is part of a broader BioNJ strategic initiative of Health Equity in Clinical Trials, is designed to promote the next generation of diverse clinical trial innovators and identify innovative approaches and successful models that can be used to strengthen diversity in clinical trials and expand health equity.

BioNJ believes that health equity in clinical trials is critical to deepening the understanding of the safety and efficacy of medicines in under-represented populations, expanding access to medical innovation for these populations, and increasing dialogue and trust among the biopharma industry, communities and healthcare systems.

Eight teams, competing for more than $20,000 in prize money, were tasked with developing a business plan defining a new solution, application or technology to help address the problem. Teams identified one particular type of health disparity on which to frame their proposed solutions and connected with community-based organizations to better understand the real-world barriers that exist for their chosen populations to engage in clinical trials.

The disease areas on which the respective teams focused included Alzheimer’s, heart failure, multiple sclerosis, diabetes type 1 and type 2, colorectal and cervical cancers, and oncology.

Each team was comprised of 4-5 diverse, cross-disciplinary students from MBA and other allied graduate programs. ( Click here to review the resumes of our teams.)

• Baylor College of Medicine, Northwestern University & Rice University
• Columbia University
• John Hopkins University
• Rutgers Business School
• Temple University
• Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
• University of Pittsburgh

“There is an urgent need to bring more diversity to clinical trials in order to better serve patients and their communities … thereby helping to address health inequities,” said Amadou Diarra, Ph.D., senior vice president, global policy, advocacy & government affairs for Bristol Myers Squibb; BioNJ board member and chair of the BioNJ Health Equity in Clinical Trials Initiative. “Only by improving diversity in clinical trials will we be able to deepen our understanding of the safety and efficacy of medicines for all populations. I am extremely proud of our teams. Each of the business plans offered a unique out-of-the-box solution – helping advance our ambition to have no Patient left behind.”

Live pitch presentations were made throughout the day to a Panel of Judges comprised of industry experts:

• Naikia Atkinson, Director, U.S. Clinical Trials Diversity and Inclusion, Sanofi
• Schylr Greggs, Director, Technology Operations, Medidata
• Sharon Hanlon, Head, Clinical Trial Engagement & Enrollment, Bristol Myers Squibb
• Maribel Hernandez, Vice President, Clinical Operations & Special Projects, PTC Therapeutics
• Jack Rosenberg, Manager, Investments and Business Development, TrialSpark
• Del Smith, Co-Founder & CEO, Acclinate
• Lolita Smith, Program Manager, Rare Disease Diversity Coalition, Black Women’s Health Imperative
• Matt Walz, CEO, TrialBee

“Although ultimately three winning teams were presented with cash prizes, each team has made a difference for patients by offering new solutions and technologies to better serve patients, build community trust and address gaps in health care delivery,” said Paul Howard, Ph.D., BioNJ Business Case Competition Steering Committee Chair and Senior Director, Public Policy for Amicus Therapeutics. “This is just the start as we work to share these proposals more broadly.”

A white paper with all of the presentations will be published in April and rolled out during BioNJ’s acclaimed BioPartnering Conference – which brings together more than 500 industry professionals from around the globe. The three winning teams will present their plans during the April 18 BioPartnering Conference and all of the students are invited to attend to meet the community.

Winning teams include:

• First Place: Johns Hopkins University ($10,000) who focused their plan on increasing representation in clinical trials for the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease through community engagement strategies and the use of digital tools.
• Second Place: Rutgers Business School ($7,000) who focused their plan on using population health and real-world data analytics to calculate health equity targets specific to clinical trial sites in prostate cancer.
• Third Place: Baylor College of Medicine, Northwestern University & Rice University ($3,500) who focused their plan on increasing Hispanic/Latinx involvement in clinical trials by training community healthcare workers from refugee and immigrant populations.

“BioNJ’s mission is to help our members help patients. It is with the vision of health equity for all that BioNJ launched our Health Equity in Clinical Trials Strategic Initiative, of which the MBA Business Plan Competition is one of three important workstreams,” said BioNJ President and CEO, Debbie Hart. “In addition to thanking our extraordinary teams for their commitment and time, I’d like to thank our Steering Committee; industry supporters, including Bristol Myers Squibb, Medidata, Amicus Therapeutics, PTC Therapeutics, Sanofi, Insmed, PsychoGenics, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Crowley Law and the Rare Disease Diversity Coalition; our expert judges and our colleagues from the Kith Collective. It was only with their guidance and support that we have been able to bring this important initiative forward.”

To access more business news, visit  NJB News Now .

• Health Equity in Clinical Trials
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Pitch your ideas, put your business skills to the test, and compete in a case competition

Participating in a business-related case competition is one of the best ways to develop critical business and presentation skills, gain practical real-world industry experience, and network with experts and potential employers. Partner with Carey faculty to fine-tune your presentation and case analysis skills. And then put your theories to the test and present to leading executives around the world. With competitions hosted at Carey and funding available to register and travel to outside competitions, at Carey Business School you can compete and win in some of the most prestigious case competitions worldwide.

2024 Samsung Galaxy Marketing Case Competition, Vol. 2

Carey MBA student Anny Gonzalez ’24 recently won first place at the Samsung Galaxy Marketing Case Competition, Vol. 2 in New York City. Her innovative presentation focused on empowering the Gen Z population to unleash their inner content creator through the use of the company’s new AI-integrated smartphone. Gonzalez presented her ideas to a variety of top tech firms and advertising agencies. Her win earns her a Google mentorship, a Qualcomm internship opportunity, and a suite of Samsung Galaxy products. Read more about Anny's win here .

2024 Venture Capital Investment Competition

A team of four Carey students won first place at the 2024 New England Regional Finals of the Venture Capital Investment Competition in Boston. This marks the first win in Carey history at the regional round of the competition. The VCIC is a competition where teams of participants act as venture capitalists for the day and evaluate startups for potential funding. The teams conduct extensive research, draft a term sheet for their selected startup, and present findings to a panel of professional venture capitalist judges.

Howard University’s 27th Annual MBA Exclusive Conference: 18th Annual Minority Case Competition 

A team of Carey students took home first place and $12,000 at the 18th Annual Minority Case Competition, held during the MBA Exclusive Conference at Howard University. This year’s competition was sponsored by the NobleReach Foundation and themed “Leveraging Innovation and Entrepreneurship for National Competitiveness.” The case focused on the United States’ response to substantial adversarial investments in digital infrastructure and the need to create a mission-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem to remain competitive. The Carey team developed a comprehensive strategy to build the ecosystem, aligning entrepreneurs, investors, universities, students, communities, and government agencies. The strategy aimed to ignite a wave of innovation that would transform the entrepreneurial landscape, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and responsible society. Students had a week to plan, strategize, and solve the case to then present their ideas to a panel of judges.

BioNJ Health Equity in Clinical Trials MBA Business Plan Case Competition

A team of Johns Hopkins Carey Business School students took home the first-place prize, winning $10,000, at the BioNJ’s inaugural MBA Business Plan Case Competition. The Carey team, consisting of five MBA/MPH students, developed a business plan that outlined a new health equity solution in clinical trials. The competition is designed to promote next-generation innovators and to identify new methods and models to strengthen clinical trial diversity and expand health equity.

MIT Sloan Operations Simulation Competition

A team of Carey students took first place, winning $2,000, at the 18 th annual MIT Sloan Operations Simulation Competition, held virtually on April 20-22, 2022. This marks the third win by a Carey team in the last four competitions, making Johns Hopkins the best-performing business school (tied with MIT Sloan) in competition history.

CFA Institute Research Challenge

A Carey student team placed first in the annual local DC/Baltimore CFA Institute Research Challenge . The competition requires students to research and analyze a publicly traded company, write a report, and present a buy, sell, or hold recommendation to a panel of industry experts.

Featured Winners

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Case Competitions Funding and Support

Carey Business School provides case competition teams with faculty and peer advisors, case preparation workshops, a list of over a hundred national case competitions, and funding for registration and other needs if necessary.

To request case competition resources, email [email protected].

Annual case competitions

Danaher case competition.

The annual Healthcare Business Association case competition is sponsored by global science and technology innovator Danaher Corporation. Student teams from universities across the nation traveled to Baltimore to compete for the $7,500 first-place prize, on a case judged by a panel of Danaher Health IT subject experts and business leaders.

Graduate Consulting Club Case Competition

The Johns Hopkins Graduate Consulting Club Case Competition’s annual competition brings together students and fellows from across the country to work on some of the most pressing challenges in today's health care sector. Interdisciplinary teams comprised of students from across multiple schools, programs and departments. 40 schools competed in the April 23, 2021 case competition sponsored by HighMark Health.

This intense, 48-hour simulated competition requires teams to improve the efficiency of a hypothetical near-bankrupt firm. Graduate students from top business schools across the globe aim to run the most profitable factory with rankings based on their ending cash balances.

Venture Capital Investment Competition

In this annual competition, student teams play the role of venture capitalists who are looking to invest in one of the startups presenting at the event. Student teams are assessed on the investment opportunities and pitching an investment strategy to the judges. The winning team of the local (Carey students only) competition win a spot in the regionals.

Past case competitions

Carey students placed second in the 2021 virtual Danaher Case Competition. This competition focused on the rapid growth of at-home lab testing and issues related to effectiveness, efficiency, and inequities in access.

KeyBank Ohio State University Minority MBA case competition

A Carey Business School team took first place, winning $10,000, in the KeyBank Ohio State University Minority MBA Case Competition.

Arthur Page Society - Student Case Competition

Carey student, Rhianna Taniguchi, placed first in the business school category with her submission, "Turning a Moment into a Movement: Why the NBA said 'Black Lives Matter.'"

UNC/Duke Case Competition

Carey students placed third in the UNC/Duke Case Competition. The competition brings together graduate students (Master’s, PhD, JD, MD) and provides the opportunity for teams to apply their analytical skills and creativity in a real-world context, by solving a real-world business problem.

MIT Operations Simulation Competition

For the second consecutive year, a Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School student team took the top prize at the annual MIT Sloan Operations Simulation Competition.

Amazon Case Competition

The Carey Business School team took the top spot at the 2020 Reaching Out MBA conference— the largest gathering of LBGTQ+ business students and alumni.

Harvard Global Case Competition

A team of Johns Hopkins students placed third in Harvard University’s annual  Global Case Competition  on April 25, 2020. The team, which included four Carey students, team faced off against 160 other teams from around the world.

Kellogg Biotech and Healthcare Case Competition

A four-member team of Johns Hopkins University students, including two from the Carey Business School, has won first place in the 16th annual Kellogg Biotech and Healthcare Case Competition.

A Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Global MBA team took top prize in the 15th annual MIT Sloan Operations Simulation Competition, held April 7, 2019, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

• Johns Hopkins Team Wins Pfizer Case...
• Student Startup Challenge
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BioNJ Hosts Its Inaugural Health Equity in Clinical Trials MBA Business Plan Case Competition

PR Newswire

TRENTON, N.J., Dec. 7, 2022

( Click here for a photo gallery from the competition) Updated December 7, 2022

TRENTON, N.J. , Dec. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BioNJ, New Jersey's life sciences trade association, hosted an  Inaugural Health Equity in Clinical Trials MBA Business Plan Case Competition  on Saturday, December 3 , at Rutgers Business School. BioNJ's Business Plan Case Competition, which is part of a broader BioNJ strategic initiative of  Health Equity in Clinical Trials , was designed to promote the next generation of diverse clinical trial innovators and identify innovative approaches and successful models that can be used nationally to strengthen diversity in clinical trials and expand health equity.

BioNJ believes that health equity in clinical trials is critical to deepening the understanding of the safety and efficacy of medicines in under-represented populations, expanding access to medical innovation for these populations and increasing dialogue and trust among the biopharma industry, communities and healthcare systems. By discovering new approaches, utilizing new technologies and developing new business standards to make trials more accessible, we can work to create more agile, efficient and Patient-centered medical research.

Eight teams, competing for more than $20,000 in prize money, were tasked with developing a business plan defining a new solution, application or technology to help address this important and challenging problem. Teams identified one particular type of health disparity on which to frame their proposed solutions and connected with community-based organizations to better understand the real-world barriers that exist for their chosen populations to engage in clinical trials. The disease areas on which the respective teams focused included Alzheimer's, heart failure, multiple sclerosis, diabetes type 1 and type 2, colorectal and cervical cancers, and oncology.

Each team was comprised of 4-5 diverse, cross-disciplinary students from MBA and other allied graduate programs. ( Click here  to review the resumes of our teams.)

• Baylor College of Medicine , Northwestern University & Rice University
• Columbia University
• Johns Hopkins University
• Rutgers University
• Temple University
• Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
• University of Pittsburgh

"There is an urgent need to bring more diversity to clinical trials in order to better serve Patients and their communities…thereby helping to address health inequities," said  Amadou Diarra, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Global Policy, Advocacy & Government Affairs for Bristol Myers Squibb; BioNJ Board Member and Chair of the BioNJ Health Equity in Clinical Trials Initiative . "Only by improving diversity in clinical trials will we be able to deepen our understanding of the safety and efficacy of medicines for all populations. I am extremely proud of our teams. Each of the business plans offered a unique out-of-the-box solution – helping advance our ambition to have no Patient left behind." 

Live pitch presentations were made throughout the day to a  Panel of Judges comprised of industry experts :

• Naikia Atkinson , Director, U.S. Clinical Trials Diversity and Inclusion, Sanofi
• Schylr Greggs , Director, Technology Operations, Medidata
• Sharon Hanlon , Head, Clinical Trial Engagement & Enrollment, Bristol Myers Squibb
• Maribel Hernandez , Vice President, Clinical Operations & Special Projects, PTC Therapeutics
• Jack Rosenberg , Manager, Investments and Business Development, TrialSpark
• Del Smith , Co-Founder & CEO, Acclinate
• Lolita Smith , Program Manager, Rare Disease Diversity Coalition, Black Women's Health Imperative
• Matt Walz , CEO, TrialBee

"Although ultimately three winning teams were presented with cash prizes, each team has made a difference for Patients by offering new solutions and technologies to better serve Patients, build community trust and address gaps in health care delivery," said  Paul Howard , Ph.D., BioNJ Business Case Competition Steering Committee Chair and Senior Director, Public Policy for Amicus Therapeutics . "This is just the start as we work to share these proposals more broadly."

A white paper with all of the presentations will be published in April and rolled out during BioNJ's acclaimed BioPartnering Conference – which brings together more than 500 industry professionals from around the globe. The three winning teams will present their plans during the April 18 BioPartnering Conference and all of the students are invited to attend to meet the community.

• First Place: Johns Hopkins University ($10,000) who focused their plan on increasing representation in clinical trials for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease through community engagement strategies and the use of digital tools.
• Second Place: Rutgers University ($7,000) who focused their plan on using population health and real-world data analytics to calculate health equity targets specific to clinical trial sites in prostate cancer.
• Third Place: Baylor College of Medicine , Northwestern University & Rice University ($3,500) who focused their plan on increasing Hispanic/Latinx involvement in clinical trials by training community healthcare workers from refugee and immigrant populations.

"BioNJ's mission is to help our Members help Patients. It is with the vision of Health Equity for all that BioNJ launched our Health Equity in Clinical Trials Strategic Initiative, of which the MBA Business Plan Competition is one of three important workstreams," said  BioNJ President and CEO, Debbie Hart . "In addition to thanking our extraordinary teams for their commitment and time, I'd like to thank our Steering Committee; industry supporters, including Bristol Myers Squibb, Medidata, Amicus Therapeutics, PTC Therapeutics, Sanofi, Insmed, PsychoGenics, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Crowley Law and the Rare Disease Diversity Coalition; our expert judges and our colleagues from the Kith Collective. It was only with their guidance and support that we have been able to bring this important initiative forward."

For more information, please   visit  BioNJ.org/Health-Equity-Clinical-Trials .

BioNJ is  the  life sciences trade association for New Jersey , representing close to 400 research-based life sciences organizations and stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem from the largest biopharmaceutical companies to early stage start-ups for nearly 30 years. Because Patients Can't Wait ® , BioNJ is dedicated to ensuring a vibrant ecosystem where Science is Supported, Companies are Created, Drugs are Developed and Patients Have Access to Lifesaving Medicines.

Recognized as a respected thought leader, an influential advocate and a sought-after convener of the life sciences industry, BioNJ works directly with legislative leaders in both Trenton and Washington D.C. to advance the life sciences industry, foster medical innovation and ensure health equity and healthcare affordability. With innovation as the driving force behind medical breakthroughs, BioNJ's mission is to help our Members help Patients by providing transformative resources, including access to government and industry leaders, capital and State incentives, timely educational programs, skilled talent and a value-driven purchasing program.

BioNJ is inspired by and privileged to work with those committed to improving the lives of Patients and their families around the world. For more information visit www.BioNJ.org .

Media Contact Randi Bromberg Vice President, Communications and Marketing O) 609-890-3185 C) 609-955-1067 [email protected]

SOURCE BioNJ

BioNJ Announces the Launch of Its Health Equity in Clinical Trials Initiative

TRENTON, NJ (September 27, 2022) – BioNJ, the voice of the life sciences industry in New Jersey, announced the launch of its Health Equity in Clinical Trials Initiative. Committed to the vision of Health Equity for All, BioNJ’s Health Equity in Clinical Trials Initiative will define concrete issues that can Continue Reading

BioNJ Releases Speakers and Agenda for 2022 C-Suite Summit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TRENTON, NJ (September 15, 2022) – BioNJ has released the agenda and growing speaker roster for its Tenth Annual C-Suite Summit, taking place Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at the Bridgewater Marriott. The C-Suite Summit brings together life sciences executives representing a wide breadth of companies from early to late Continue Reading

BioNJ Announces New Appointments and Team Promotions

TRENTON, NJ (July 12, 2022) – BioNJ, the trade association for New Jersey’s life sciences industry, announced that Ian McLaughlin, Ph.D., has joined the organization as Executive Director, Government Affairs. A life scientist by training, Ian most recently served as a Policy Analyst in the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office, working Continue Reading

BioNJ Honors NJ’s Innovators & the Patients Who Inspire Them

TRENTON, N.J., June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — New Jersey’s life sciences community came out for BioNJ’s 29th Annual Dinner Meeting & Innovation Celebration last Thursday, June 9, at the Hilton East Brunswick. Dedicated to “Patients… Because they just can’t wait,” the inspirational evening honored the unprecedented medical innovation coming from the Garden State. “It’s hard to Continue Reading

Announcing BioNJ’s BioPartnering Company & Pitch Presentation Award Honorees

TRENTON, N.J., May 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — BioNJ announced the winners of its 2022 Company and Pitch Presentation Competition held in conjunction with the organization’s 12th Annual BioPartnering Conference. The week-long Conference kicked off with an in-person Networking Reception at The Liberty House in Jersey City on the evening of Monday, May 9, 2022, followed by a two-day Continue Reading

BioNJ’s Annual Dinner Meeting & Innovation Celebration to Honor New Jersey’s Innovators, COVID-19 Heroes and the Patients Who Inspire Them

TRENTON, N.J., March 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Considered the meeting place for the life sciences industry in New Jersey, BioNJ’s 29th Annual Dinner Meeting & Innovation Celebration will take place on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at the Hilton East Brunswick. Hundreds of biotechnology and pharmaceutical professionals, academic leaders, Patients, advocates, service providers and government officials will come together Continue Reading

BioNJ Announces Company Presenters for BioPartnering Conference

TRENTON, N.J., March 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — BioNJ’s Twelfth Annual BioPartnering Conference, developed in concert with J.P. Morgan and Johnson & Johnson Innovation, will take place May 9-13, 2022. The week-long Conference will kick off with an in-person Networking Reception at The Liberty House in Jersey City on the evening of Monday, May 9, 2022, followed by Continue Reading

BioNJ Elects Board Officers and Trustees

TRENTON, N.J. (February 7, 2022) – BioNJ, the life sciences trade association for New Jersey, announced the election of its 2022 Officers and Board Members. The election preceded BioNJ’s Annual Board Meeting on Wednesday, February 2, 2022. Re-elected Officers include Chair Will Lewis, J.D., MBA, Chair and CEO, Insmed; Vice Chair Angela Bechan, Vice President, Continue Reading

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Protein ice cream company wins 2024 rice business plan competition.

by Avery Ruxer Franklin

Rice University hosts world’s largest and richest student startup competition

Ice cream company Protein Pints took home the grand prize at the 2024  Rice Business Plan Competition  (RBPC) April 6 as the best student ventures from top universities across the world competed for prizes in front of nearly 350 angel, venture capital and corporate investors and members of the business community.

During his acceptance speech, Founder and CEO of Protein Pints Paul Reiss said, “"The love and support that we've been shown during our time here at Rice, and the relationships and the friends that we've made, is something that I know I and every other student here is going to remember for the rest of our lives."

Hosted annually by the  Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship  and Rice University’s  Jones Graduate School of Business , the RBPC is the world’s largest and richest student startup competition.

The RBPC offers real-world opportunities to learn what’s required to successfully launch a new business. In addition to the substantial cash, investment and in-kind prizes, the heart of the competition is the mentoring from investors and experienced entrepreneurs. RBPC alumni have raised more than $6.1 billion in capital and 288 are in business or have had successful exits.

The winners were announced at the conclusion of the three-day pitching, mentoring and networking event, which included an elevator pitch competition, practice round, semifinals, wildcard and final round.

“We award the competitors $1 million in prizes, prizes that serve as foundational capital to launch their startup,” said RBPC Director Catherine Santamaria in her welcome speech at the awards gala April 6.

“That’s a large number of prizes, but the biggest thing our startups leave with is a feeling of generosity and community from this room. This community is always ready and willing to help our founders and support our vision for the competition by investing time, money and resources in these student innovators.”

The 42 competing startups represented 35 universities from four countries. They were chosen from more than 450 applicants to compete in one of five categories: energy, cleantech and sustainability; life sciences and health care solutions; consumer products and services; hard tech; and digital enterprise. Learn more about all of the startups  here .

The seven finalists based on the judges’ overall scores were:

Protein Pints, Michigan State University  — first place and the $150,000 GOOSE Capital Investment Grand Prize.

• Protein Pints is a high-protein, low-sugar, ice cream product designed for people who would benefit from having access to a functional ice cream and/or better tasting and more enjoyable protein options.

Somnair, Johns Hopkins University  — second place and the $100,000 Investment Prize, sponsored by David Anderson, Jon Finger, Anderson Family Fund, Finger Interests, Greg Novak and Tracy Druce.  

• Somnair is a Novel Non-Invasive Neurostimulation device for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

Power2Polymers, RWTH Aachen University  — third place and the $50,000 Rice University investment, provided by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and sponsored by Finger Interests, the Anderson Family Fund at the Greater Houston Community Foundation, Greg Novak and Tracy Druce.

• Power2Polymers tackles the pressing issue of 'forever chemicals', which have been linked to over 6.5 million deaths in the U.S. alone, by offering safe alternatives free of forever chemicals.

Informuta, Tulane University  — fourth place and the $5,000 prize, sponsored by Norton Rose Fulbright.

• Informuta's proprietary technology leverages DNA sequencing to predict if bacteria will respond to different antibiotics or, for the very first time, develop future resistance thus causing treatment failure.

Icorium Engineering Company, University of Kansas  — fifth place and the $5,000 prize, sponsored by EY.

• Icorium Engineering Company is a chemical engineering startup and University of Kansas spinout developing technologies to make sustainable, circular economies a reality for refrigerants and other complex chemical mixtures.

EndoShunt Medical, Harvard University  — sixth place and the $5,000 prize, sponsored by Chevron Technology Ventures.

• EndoShunt is transforming trauma surgery with a rapid, targeted blood flow control device.

D.Sole, Carnegie Mellon University  — seventh place and the $5,000 prize, sponsored by Shell Ventures.

• D. Sole is advancing the development of remote patient monitoring in podiatry with foot insoles designed for the early detection and monitoring of diabetic foot complications, such as ulcers and deformities.

The fourth through seventh place startups were also awarded an additional investment prize of $25,000 each provided by Rice Alliance and sponsored by David Anderson, Jon Finger, Anderson Family Fund, Finger Interests, Greg Novak and Tracy Druce, bringing their finalist prize totals up to $30,000. 

Other  significant prizes  this year and the teams that won them include:

• $200,000 Goose Capital Investment Prize — Osphim, RWTH Aachen University
• $250,000 OWL Investment Prizes — MesaQuantum, Harvard University
• $100,000 OWL Investment Prizes — Icorium Engineering Company, University of Kansas
• $100,000 Houston Angel Network Investment Prize — Somnair, Johns Hopkins University
• $100,000 The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Texas Angels Investment Prize — Protein Pints, Michigan State University
• $60,000 nCourage Courageous Women Entrepreneur Investment Prize — MesaQuantum, Harvard University
• $40,000 nCourage Courageous Women Entrepreneur Investment Prize — Icorium Engineering Company, University of Kansas
• $40,000 Pearland EDC Spirit of Entrepreneurship Cash Prize — Informuta, Tulane University
• $25,000 New Climate Ventures Sustainable Investment Prize — Oxylus Energy, Yale University
• $25,000 Dream Big Ventures Latino Entrepreneur Investment Prize — Dendritic Health AI, Northwestern University
• $25,000 NOV Energy Technology Innovation Cash Prize — LiQuidium, University of Houston
• $25,000 Urban Capital Network Diversity Investment Prize in Partnership with South Loop Venture Investment Prize — TouchStone, University of California, Berkeley
• $25,000 Southwest National Pediatric Device Consortium Pediatric Device Cash Prize — EndoShunt Medical, Harvard University
• $25,000 Jacobs, Intuitive Machines and WRX Companies Rising Stars Space Technology and Commercial Aerospace Cash Prize — MesaQuantum, Harvard University

For more information about the 2024 Rice Business Plan Competition, visit  rbpc.rice.edu .

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