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LHU team places 6th in State System Startup Challenge

LOCK HAVEN -- Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education recently held its annual State System Startup Challenge. The challenge is an opportunity for students within the State System to compete for prize money of up to $10,000 for their innovative ideas and to assist in making their dreams of becoming an entrepreneur come true.

This year, Lock Haven University's team of Ashlyn Black and Daniel Parsley, both senior business administration majors, placed sixth in the 5-minute pitch presentation category for their startup project, Starlight Cafe. The team, mentored by LHU business professor, Dr. Gerard Martorell, received a prize of $500.

The Starlight Cafe would be the first cafe in Lock Haven to be open only at night. The additional idea is to add telescopes in the cafe for novelty value, as well as an attempt to draw in avid stargazers.

All competitors were encouraged to use their imagination to create their best business ideas. The students defended their projects in a 5-minute pitch video and responded to judges' questions. The team of judges reviewed the submissions and the finalists, as well as all of the competitors, were recognized during a virtual awards ceremony.

"It has been an honor from my side to be their tutor in this project," Martorell said. "I am a firm believer that these experiential learning activities help our students to become learners and ready for the real life. And, besides, it is fun to think that we might have a Starlight Cafe in town!"

For more information about the State System Startup Challenge, visit www.passhe.edu/inside/ASA/bizplan/Pages/default.aspx.