Grand Valley State University’s Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO) was recently honored at the National Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization Conference in Chicago.
The organization’s website, run by students Peter Sauer and Joel Devriendt and located at
www.gvsuceo.com, was noted for its ease and efficiency of communication among members. Additionally, Grand Valley sophomore Joe Pohlen won fourth place overall in the Elevator Pitch competition for his company, Valley Properties LLC.
Pohlen pitched the idea of purchasing residential single homes and renting them out to college students in front of 13,000 people in attendance, including the founders of Jimmy Johns,
Ubid.com,
Overstock.com and
sittercity.com. Pohlen had to pitch the idea in 90 seconds, the idea following a scenario similar to getting in the elevator with someone important and having that trip to plead your case.
It was good enough to impress the judges; Pohlen took fourth place and ended up winning $1,000 towards his idea. Pohlen plans on taking the money and investing it in three houses. He founded his company in April of this year with the purchase of his first home.
Other GVSU students who presented ideas were Irma Garcia, Brian Rider, Peter Sauer and Adam Berry. This year, 27 GVSU members attended the national conference, which drew 1,300 collegiate entrepreneurs.
The second annual Elevator Pitch Competition will be held at Grand Valley during the winter semester.
Source: Joe Pohlen, Grand Valley State University
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