New Venture Business Plan Competition Winner Announced
Milwaukee, March 3, 2009 – CollegeRent101.com has been awarded the $7,500 grand prize in the New Venture Business Plan Competition at the Lubar School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Kevin J. Schmoldt, a senior majoring in Finance, is the entrepreneur and plan author.
CollegeRent101.com is an online environment that will provide college students and landlords with a safe, effective, convenient, and simple approach to the process of leasing student housing. Students will visit the site to find housing near their designated campus. Landlords will use it to advertise their apartments, research current rental trends, and more efficiently lease their properties.
Schmoldt initially came up with the idea when he was looking for his first apartment as a student and became frustrated with the lack of resources. He subsequently founded Resourceful Renting LLC, and built the website PantherRent. CollegeRent101.com expands upon his initial venture with added features and services for both renters and landlords.
The New Venture competition is designed to foster entrepreneurial spirit among UWM students and alumni, promote practical business skills, and encourage the creation of new, for-profit ventures. It is made possible by private support from La Macchia Enterprises, the parent company of Mark Travel and Trisept Solutions.
CollegeRent101.com earned top honors out of a field of 43 initial entrants.
The second place winner was International Student Recruiting Services, led by Joan Martinie (Executive MBA ’08), which provides comprehensive services to assist Chinese students and parents who wish to pursue higher educational opportunities in the United States.
Third place was awarded to Derick Schoenike, a senior majoring in MIS and Finance. His plan, Proffer Parts, will be an online retail store that serves as an alternative source for consumers wishing to purchase new OEM automotive parts.
For more information about News Releases, please contact:
Kris Piwek
Lubar Hall S418
Phone: (414) 229-6297
