Meetings

First ABESE meeting October 5, 2009

On a damp fall evening, fifteen LA Tech students braved the moisture for a night of pizza and business. The Association of Business Engineering and Science Entrepreneurs (ABESE) had its first meeting of the year on October 6 at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Information Technology (CENIT) classroom in the Student Center. This first meeting served as an introduction of the officers and a chance for students to meet and greet with the winners of last year’s TOP DAWG Business Plan Competition. The officers for this year are: President Demetra Allen…

Noah Bergeron, a member of last year’s winning team, spoke to the attendees about his experience with the TOP DAWG Idea Pitch and Business Plan Competition and offered some advice for the future competitors. He encouraged the potential competitors to seek the help from all members of the business department from students to professors. Noah also stressed the idea of hard work and belief in self and idea, so one can succeed not just in the competitions but in the real world “You are selling to investors based on your ability to sell the customer if you can do that... you are the type of person who needs to be in this.” Brandon Brooks, a past competitor, spoke of the value of the connections made during the competitions and the money given to those that win. According to Brooks, “This competition is going to open a lot of doors that normally wouldn’t be able to be opened.” Also Collin Hosli spoke of his idea that he used in last year’s competition and gave the participants a brief view of what a business plan would look like. After the talks, those in attendance had an opportunity to ask questions of the winners.

One fact that stood out is that all of the past winners are still pursuing their ideas out in the world today and utilizing the concepts learned from the competition. For instance, Bergeron is currently working with the Department of Defense on his technology, Holsi still entertains calls from interested vendors about his idea, and Brooks has started a business while still in graduate school.   

All participants were encouraged to attend the Finding Your Idea Workshop this Thursday October 12 at the Enterprise Center located at 509 Alabama Ave from 6 pm to 8 pm. Of the fifteen attendees, four expressed that they already have an idea and are seeking team members with business experience. They were told that the workshop would be a great place to network and find other interested parties that might join with them to comprise their team.

“Overall the meeting was extremely informative and gave those who attended a great overview of the TOP DAWG Idea Pitch and the Business Plan Competition,” says ABESE sponsor Debbie Inman. This was great kickoff for ABESE and the chain of events leading all the way up to the Business Plan Competition in February.