Tag: startup

SafeTrek is one of the leading personal safety apps available for iOS and Android. When feeling unsafe, a SafeTrek user can simply launch the app and place his or her thumb on a large safety button. When the user feels safe again, they need only release their thumb and enter their passcode. If circumstances necessitate help, however, the user can just release their thumb and wait —  911 is dispatched immediately when the user’s passcode is not entered in time. As such, the SafeTrek app enables users to discreetly notify authorities if and when they are in need of assistance.

Who are they?
SafeTrek’s dedication to the well being of its users is what initially drew our team to the company. SafeTrek’s practices illustrate just how strong their emphasis is on customer service. Last year, for instance, a safety assistant helped direct a distraught college student who had gone out drinking and lost her friends, back to her dorm in New York City. Although the student’s situation fortunately did not require the intervention of law enforcement, the SafeTrek employee remained on the phone with the student throughout her ordeal.

Why did the founders start SafeTrek?
After getting numerous reports concerning the incidents that were occurring on their college campus, the founders of SafeTrek brainstormed an idea about how to develop a safety system that was better suited to ensuring safety than the standard Bluelight System. The founders came up with SafeTrek and the app has since become an enormous success.

Our experience:
Our group has already enjoyed learning from a promising startup on a broad range of topics. As students who each have an interest in one day starting businesses of our own, SafeTrek has been a great partner for our group to consult with and we hope to continue to learn more about the many responsibilities that entrepreneurs must assume to build successful companies. We look forward to providing SafeTrek with helpful market research in the future and are grateful for the opportunity given to us by WashU’s CELect program.

Sandy Kugbei, Law’17; Kimaya Hemdev, BSBA; Christian Luetkemeyer; PMBA; Jason McCloskey, Law

Startup Connection, St. Louis’ largest event focused on innovation and entrepreneurship, has announced the companies selected to take part in its Venture Showcase Nov. 16 at Washington University in St. Louis. The startups will have the opportunity to pitch their products, services and ideas to the business community, as well as compete for in-kind and cash prizes.

This year, 27 of the 74 companies in the Showcase got their start at Washington University or have a founding member with a close connection to the university. It’s evidence of the institution’s deep commitment to supporting entrepreneurship for students, faculty, staff and alumni.

“More than a third of the companies chosen to participate in Startup Connection’s Venture Showcase have distinct WashU DNA—they were founded here, received support from our entrepreneurship platform, or include executive officers with direct links to our university,” said Dedric Carter, vice chancellor for operations and technology transfer. “It certainly speaks to Washington University’s commitment to the innovation/entrepreneurship environment, and we are excited to welcome our friends from Startup Connection back to campus next month for their showcase event.”

The early-stage startups taking part in November’s event, to be held in Olin’s Knight Hall and Bauer Hall, represent a wide group of industries, from biotechnology and advanced manufacturing to consumer products and tech. Startup Connection’s Resource Fair features organizations that provide support, services, and connections for startup companies.

“Startup Connection is a great event to attend to see what’s new in St. Louis’ startup community,” said Startup Connection Managing Director Phyllis Ellison, director of entrepreneur services and institutional and corporate partnerships at the Cortex Innovation Community.  “We have an exciting group of companies this year that really emphasizes the variety of technology and innovation happening in the region.”

The Washington University-based businesses taking part in Startup Connection include:

• Aggio
• AirZaar Inc.
• Applied Particle Technology
• Bandura
• Better Weekdays
• Blue Line Technology
• Cast
• CredEd
• DeepGene LLC
• Dynamic Surgical
• Eureka Analytics
• Geneoscopy
• GiftAMeal
• Hockey Valet
• Hummingbird Technologies
• International PROOF System
• Ivani LLC
• Less Annoying CRM
• Lipospectrum
• Olio City
• PFITR
• Pikazo
• Pro-Arc Diagnostics
• Riley’s Premium Pet Products
• Rozzy Learning Company
• Sparo Labs
• Spectrum Perception LLC
• Viosera Therapeutics

For more information about the event, including registration information, visit: www.startupconnection.org

Guest blogger: Erika Ebsworth-Goold

GiftAMeal, a mobile app student startup founded by Andrew Glantz, BSBA’17, that turns the trend of photo-sharing into an act of generosity to help feed the hungry is expanding beyond St. Louis to Chicago. In less than a year since its launch, GiftAMeal has funded the distribution of over 4,500 meals in the St. Louis area through Operation Food Search and partnerships with over 115 restaurants.

GiftAMeal’s Head of Business Development and Chicago-native Michael Kaushansky said, “Chicago seemed like a natural extension of our business, and we look forward to providing thousands of more meals to local food pantries throughout the Greater Chicago area.”  To provide meals in Chicago, GiftAMeal has partnered with Lakeview Pantry, one of the city’s largest and longest-operating food pantries.

Jacob Mohrmann (BSBA’16) and Andrew Glantz at a photoshoot for Olin Business Magazine. They will be featured in the Fall issue.

GiftAMeal has partnered with 20 Chicago area restaurants since entering the market 2 months ago.  Initial restaurants in the area are: Perry’s Deli, Halsted Street Deli, Pita Express, The Shamrock Club, The Stained Glass, The Cellar, The Tavern, Fuji Thai, Gilmer Road House, Blue Frog’s Local 22, Firkin, Tina G’s, The Bad Apple, EJ’s Place, 545 North, Tavern on 60, Webster’s Wine Bar, Cross-Rhodes, Nick’s Pizza + Pub, and Salsa 17.

GiftAMeal users emphasize how easy it is to give back on the app. In a user survey conducted in June, one user said,

“I love how easy it is to go through the process to donate a meal. It’s so great having an option like this available to help others!” Another user wrote, “GiftAMeal is an idea perfect for today. I think people want to do more to help and will recommend restaurants that commit to their communities.”

Join the movement to fight hunger in our community. Download GiftAMeal and start snapping photos. Follow GiftAMeal’s story on Facebook (GiftAMeal), Twitter (@giftamealapp), and Instagram (@giftamealapp).

Top photo: Glantz, Mohrmann, and co-founder Aiden Folbe at GiftAMeal partner restaurant Applebee’s.

We reported on Brian Leventhal, BSBA’05, several years ago in OlinBusiness Magazine when he opened a winery in Brooklyn, NY. So, we weren’t surprised to see a story on the
Gothamist website that the winery is doing very well and has opened a restaurant.

The BKW Restaurant in Crown Heights “aims to serve dishes that pair well with their wines, naturally, some of which will be produced steps away from the dinner table at an on-site new micro-winery designed to try out new techniques,” according to Gothamist.

Brian Leventhal is co-owner with John Stires; executive chef is Michael Gordon. Warning the photos on the BKW website will make your mouth water and want to book the next flight to New York. Congratulations, Brian!

The chef, Michael Gordon, who worked at Bouley, Asiate and Savory, is producing wine-friendly fare like a chilled shiitake soup, crisp brussels sprouts with pastrami, roasted chicken breast with leg and thigh potpie alongside, hanger steak with red wine sauce, and pan-roasted skate. The restaurant has a library of the winery’s older vintages. It serves only its own wines, but that’s quite an extensive portfolio: 747 Franklin Avenue (Sterling Place), Crown Heights, Brooklyn, 718-399-1700, bkwnyc.com.  – The New York Times

The transition from MBA to CEO of his own company was Ken Mao’s plan two years ago when he entered Olin Business School. He just wasn’t sure what that company would be. As a runner and Cross Fit coach, it’s not surprising that Ken, MBA’16, likes to eat healthy food. He also likes to cook and discovered that he could turn his passion for healthy cuisine into a business when he started making meals for fellow b-school students and hungry entrepreneurs working in St. Louis startup incubators and co-working spaces.

Originally called, Mao’s Chow, Ken’s business has evolved over the past two years. With a new business plan and new company name, he graduated in May and began his own evolution from MBA to CEO of his startup, FUL Foods, LLC, a subscription-based meal delivery service for corporate health and wellness initiatives.

Ken’s target clientele in St. Louis includes: Administrative staff at medical centers such as BJC and SSM; and CrossFit and other Fitness Communities. Ken is profiled in Poets & Quants’ “2016 MBAs to Watch” online feature. Here are some excerpts from the Q&A:

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? The highlight of business school was tying for first place in the final pitch competition for the Hatchery Course. It was a culmination of everything I had learned about entrepreneurship from school, from my relationships with mentors and peers in the St. Louis community, and from my own startup experience. I’m proud of the recognition for all the hard work I put into realizing my own idea and having the support of both my peers and mentors.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose Olin because of its academic reputation and strong ties to the St. Louis startup community. I knew I wanted to start my own company and have always been an experiential learner. In addition to getting a first class education, I knew I would have the opportunity to work side by side with peers and mentors in a city with a vibrant and growing entrepreneurship presence. I also liked the idea of being able to meet and know all my peers (both the graduating and incoming classes), an opportunity that would be otherwise difficult at much larger business schools.

What did you enjoy most about business school? One of the main reasons for selecting Olin was its relatively small entering class size. As such, the highlight of business school was having the actual opportunity to build a strong social and professional relationship with peers. Getting honest, quality feedback about my capabilities and my business ideas from a well-educated, diverse group of peers has been invaluable in my personal development.

Link to complete profile.

The Huffington Post reports on the St. Louis MetroMarket, “the Grocery Store on wheels that brings fresh food to low-income areas.” The bus, dubbed “Turnip1,” is stocked with fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy and bread from local farmers and community gardens.

Jeremy Goss and Colin Dowling sit behind the wheel of the donated Metro bus that was converted into St. Louis MetroMarket in 2015. Photo: Corey Mauer, St. Louis University.

“I would hate people to get lost in the novelty of what we do because we sell groceries on a bus,” said Jeremy Goss, a Saint Louis University medical student and one of the founders of MetroMarket. Co-founders include Washington University graduates Colin Dowling, PMBA’12 and Tej Azad, AB’12.
Link to article

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