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Crosby MBA students represented MU in two Big 12 business competitions and performed well in each one. These students expended a significant amount of time and energy preparing, traveling, and presenting in a business plan competition in Dallas and a business case competition in Norman, Oklahoma. The program will continue to support such activities to provide the students with opportunities to demonstrate their skills and to enhance the reputation of the Crosby MBA program.
Big 12 New Venture Championship, Dallas, Texas
An MU team from a new MBA course offering, Business Plan Development, taught by Jake Halliday, assistant professor of management, competed in the inaugural Big 12 New Venture Championship held concurrently with the basketball championship in Dallas. Team members from MU were Chris Bradshaw and John Pelikan, both MBA students; Maria Ines Miro-Quesada, journalism; and Paul Pattison, (BS ME '05). The MU entry was Picture Cloud, LLC, a new enterprise created by Pattison. Picture Cloud provides an easy-to-use service via the Internet for creating enhanced images (360 degree) that add value to electronic communication media for sales, education, and other purposes.
MU was in the Final Four with Cologenomics from Texas A&M University, ZigBeef from the University of Oklahoma, and NeoNatal Solutions from the University of Kansas. On March 11, Cologenomics was selected as Champion and ZigBeef was 1st Runner-up.
The Big 12 New Venture Championship is part of a conference-wide initiative to accelerate economic growth and intellectual excellence. The focus is on collaboration within the region by encouraging business schools and technology transfer offices to work together in leveraging technologies developed by research faculty and students. The competition is supported by the Big 12 Center for Economic Development, Innovation, and Commercialization.
Big 12 Case Competition, Norman, Okla.
In late February, four MBA students participated in the Big 12 Case Competition held at the University of Oklahoma. Matt Becker, Justin O’Neil, Matt Pufall, and Rosella Schad had the opportunity to showcase the knowledge and expertise they have gained as MBAs. The particular case they examined for the competition was whether TiVo Inc. should pursue mass distribution of its product or concentrate on product development and differentiation. The students explained that it was beneficial to feel the pressure and excitement of making critical strategic decisions in a compressed time period as one would find in the real world. Overall, the team had a tremendous learning experience and looks forward to representing MU in future competitions.
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