University of Mississippi alumnus Madison Hanna (left) and Maryn Sifrit, a senior political science and government major from Overland Park, Kansas, accept a $10,000 check as winners of the 2024 Servin' the South Business Model Competition. The check is presented by Rich Gentry (second from left), co-director of the university's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Stave Grantham Jr., the competition's sponsor. Photo by Joe Worthem
More than $30,000 awarded to student entrepreneurs to fund their businesses
A new online business that connects incoming college freshmen to help them find roommates won first place during the 2024 Servin’ the South Business Model Competition.
Hosted by the University of Mississippi‘s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the annual competition allows college students in the US to pitch their business ideas for a chance to win startup funding of up to $10,000.
Maryn Sifrit, a senior political science and government major from Overland Park, Kansas, and Madison Hanna, an Ole Miss graduate from Leawood, Kansas, won the competition’s top prize for their Collegemate App.
“Hearing our name announced as the winners was a surreal and rewarding moment, validating all the hard work we’ve put into Collegemate,” Sifrit said. “The experience has been invaluable, from the mentorship to the connections we’ve made along the way.
“We’re excited to keep growing and can’t wait to see what’s next.”
Fifty-five teams of entrepreneurs from across the country competed, with six advancing to the final round. All six finalists, including Collegemate, received at least $1,000 in funding:
● John Thomerson, from Florida Atlantic University, took second place for Pet HealthCare Innovations, a collection of six products for mobility-impaired dogs.
● Olkaris Marandu, founder of Glory EV Charging Solutions LLC from Auburn University. Glory EV Charging Systems also won the Best Visiting Team award.
● Ole Miss students Owen Ridgeway, from Jackson; David Markham, of Houston, Texas; and Preston Grollins, of Atlanta; co-founders of SellVNTG (pronounced “Sell Vintage”).
● Luke Green, UM sophomore from Madison; and Hudson Miller, freshman from Austin, Texas; business partners in Farsick Productions.
● Luke Henderson, Ole Miss senior from Oxford and founder of Taxi Cart LLC, a golf cart taxi company operating in downtown Oxford and the Ole Miss campus through an app similar to Uber.
The Early Bird Co. LLC, represented by Thomas Lester from Auburn University, received the Best Technology Utilization/Development award for a self-heating, pre-filled coffee cup that produces an on-the-go hot coffee in 90 seconds.
SeatStock, a marketplace for students to buy and sell student tickets, represented by Josh Cohen from the University of Iowa, received the Best Consumer Facing Business award.
“The Servin’ the South Business Model Competition is quickly becoming a premier event in the Southeast for university entrepreneurs,” said Rich Gentry, CIE co-director. “This competition not only showcases our region but also provides a phenomenal learning experience for students eager to develop real-world business skills.”
“While the prize money draws them in, they leave with an appreciation for Mississippi, Oxford and the strong commitment of this state and its communities to new ventures.”
