MSU Student Entrepreneurs Finalists For National Award
EAST LANSING -- Local students and entrepreneurs behind TempoRun LLC, will have the opportunity to pitch their idea March 9 at the South by Southwest event in Austin, Texas.
Two teams from four regional groups were chosen to present. The competition began with 64 teams this fall, and has been narrowed down to eight who will pitch to judges.
The rest of the final eight teams hail from Stanford University, Emory University, University of Texas at Austin, University of Illinois at Chicago, St. Louis University, University of California at Berkeley, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
South by Southwest is a convergence of original music, independent films, and emerging technologies held in early March in Austin, which is attended by 60,000 people each year.
TempoRun, created by Josh Leider, Benny Ebert-Zavos, Phil Getzen and Adam Proschek is an app that will allow users to run at a consistent and enjoyable pace, using music tempo as a guide. The Michigan State University-student-developed-company is a client of Spartan Innovations which provides start-up resources to companies that have been created within the university. TempoRun received assistance from Paul Jaques in writing their business plan and bringing the well-deserved attention to the team.
Spartan Innovations' director of student and community engagement Paul Jaques and LEAP's Jeff Smith, co-director of the new economy division, will be in attendance in Austin to represent the region and support TempoRun.
"We are proud of these students who will get to compete on a national scale by being innovative and starting this venture," Jaques said. "There are many other businesses who we assist in the start-up process each day, and we know there are more who have yet to be created. We are excited that there is a buzz around start-ups in Lansing and eager to see it grow."
The Lansing Economic Area Partnership is a coalition of area leaders committed to building a prosperous and vibrant region where business can thrive. To do this, LEAP helps entrepreneurs start new businesses, helps existing businesses grow, and attracts new businesses to the region. For more information about LEAP, visit www.purelansing.com.
Spartan Innovations provides the educational and financial support necessary to turn MSU research technologies into successful Michigan businesses, and spur entrepreneurship in the Michigan economy. For more information on Spartan Innovations, visit www.spartaninnovations.msu.edu.
