VSU Students to Compete in Statewide Business Competition April 3-4

VALDOSTA — A pair of Valdosta State University students will compete in the inaugural Georgia InVenture Prize competition, a statewide invention and business contest, April 3-4 in Atlanta.

Christopher Powell and Bradley Henry, pre-engineering majors at VSU, will present PowellTech, an electronics startup they founded in October 2018 that transforms how televisions integrate into existing home décor.

Their creation will be judged against inventions and business solutions from teams representing 18 other colleges and universities across the state. The teams that advance to the final round will present their work to judges and audience members during a live event that will air on Georgia Public Broadcasting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 4.

Powell and Henry have been guided in the development of their startup company by staff and faculty from the Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration. Dr. Matthew Kolakowski, assistant professor of management and healthcare administration, and Jeffrie Shipley, computer services specialist and faculty advisor for VSU Enactus, have provided the team with all the resources needed to start a business, including expert coaching and mentoring, peer networking, lessons on product development and business models, shared office space and equipment, and more.

“The Langdale College of Business Administration has long been a hub for VSU students from all majors, backgrounds, and interests to receive high-quality entrepreneurship education and mentorship from our experienced faculty, and we are proud of what Christopher and Bradley have created,” Kolakowski said.

The Georgia InVenture Prize competition is presented by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Georgia Department of Education, University System of Georgia, Technical College System of Georgia, and Georgia Public Broadcasting. The purpose of the contest is to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and startup creation within the state.

Contact Dr. Matthew Kolakowski at mjkolakowski@valdosta.edu or Jeffrie Shipley at jkshiple@valdosta.edu to learn more.