Fever Pitch

01 Jun 2015

Fever Pitch

Highlights from the New Venture Competition

Re: Mickey Konson (MBA 2002); Oluwakorinola Gbadebo-Smith (MBA 2013); Simone Bartlett (MBA 2013); Minal Mehta (MBA 2011); By: Dan Morrell

Topics: Business Ventures-Business Startups Career-Awards News-School News

This year’s New Venture Competition saw heavy alumni participation on both sides of the judging. More than 160 graduates critiqued student startups during April’s on-campus event, weighing everything from team chemistry to financials. The alumni version of the competition saw HBS Alumni Angels pick their favorite investment, while some 1,600 students and alumni voted on awards for impact and innovation among finalists from 14 global regions.

Best Investment
Selected by HBS Alumni Angels
StreetShares (Mid-Atlantic US Region)
Mickey Konson (MBA 2002)
“Shark Tank meets eBay”: Funding the next great generation of small business owners.

Most Innovative
Selected by alumni and students
BollyX Fitness (Northeastern US Region)
Minal Mehta (MBA 2011)
The world’s leading and fastest-growing Bollywood fitness company.

Greatest Impact
Selected by alumni and students
Eve & Tribe (Africa Region)
Ori Gbadebo-Smith (MBA 2013)
Simone Bartlett (MBA 2013)
Affordable fashion brand that offers women the opportunity to own their own fashion businesses.