Nine Startup Finalists Compete In Babson College's B.E.T.A. Challenge

WELLESLEY, Mass., April 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nine businesses will compete as finalists in Babson College's B.E.T.A. (Babson Entrepreneurial Thought and Action(r)) Challenge on April 10, 2014 during Founder's Day activities on the Wellesley, MA campus.

Winners in three categories ─ alumni entrepreneur, undergraduate student entrepreneur, and graduate student entrepreneur ─ will each receive a grand prize of $20,000 in cash and "services in kind" donations from corporate sponsors. Two other finalist ventures in each of the three competitions will receive $2,500. B.E.T.A. Challenge entrepreneurs must demonstrate success in reaching major milestones achieved through action.

For information, visit http://bit.ly/YxWYBO

Alumni Finalists

* Bombas - David Heath '05, Andrew Heath M'12 and Randy Goldberg
Bombas are socks engineered and designed to look better, feel better and with a mission to help the homeless.

* Vedavoo - Scott Hunter M'09
Vedavoo is an American builder of bags, backpacks, and gear for outdoor recreation.

* ZOOS, LLC - Niari Keverian M'12 and Kristina Tsipouras
ZOOS (pronounced Zeus) is a unique, first to market Greek Iced-Tea that is developed to deliver on great taste, unique offerings, and a healthier alternative to other iced-tea products currently on the market.

Undergraduate Student Finalists

* CAN Recover Foundation, Inc. - Aaron Rocha '14
CAN (Concussion Awareness Network) Recover Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit whose purpose is to build and facilitate a network to support high school and college student-athletes.

* Inner Tonics - Pranav Chaudhry '14 and Kent Wiederecht '14
Inner Tonics is an organic beverage company that specializes in "herbal boosts" designed to awaken your potential using natural ingredients.

* Lilypad Scales - Amos Meeks, Olin College of Engineering '14
Lilypad Scales, LLC helps wheelchair users manage their health more effectively and maintain their independence.

Graduate Student Finalists

* FedWell Pet Foods - Emily Lagasse M'15
FedWell Pet Foods believes dogs deserve better food. Their recipes are made with the highest quality ingredients and gently baked to retain nutrition.

* HigherMe - Rob Hunter M'14 and Evan Lodge M'14
HigherMe is a website and mobile application that gives prospective employees the chance to submit short one-minute video introductions to any retail establishments in their area. HigherMe allows prospective employers to get a glimpse of the more human qualities necessary to succeed in retail environments.

* Startup Rounds - Paul Hammond M'14
Startup Rounds qualifies startups for investment. Companies apply to compete in a contest for support, recognition, customers and capital. The top scoring startups advance to later rounds, establishing credibility, proving concept, and gaining recognition, furthering opportunities to raise money, generate sales, and win cash prizes.

2014 B.E.T.A. Challenge Sponsors

Gold Sponsor
Samuel Goldstein & Co.

Silver Sponsors
Pepper Hamilton LLP
Pierce Atwood LLP
Babson Alumni and Friends Network
Babson Alumni Association (BAA)
Babson Social Innovation Lab

In-Kind Sponsors
BizLand, Inc.
Emerging Business Collaborative
Cummings Properties
MassChallenge

About Babson College
Babson College is the educator, convener, and thought leader for Entrepreneurship of All KindsTM. The College is a dynamic living and learning laboratory, where students, faculty, and staff work together to address the real-world problems of business and society--while at the same time evolving our methods and advancing our programs. We shape the leaders our world needs most: those with strong functional knowledge and the skills and vision to navigate change, accommodate ambiguity, surmount complexity, and motivate teams in a common purpose to create economic and social value. As we have for nearly a half-century, Babson continues to advance Entrepreneurial Thought and Action(r) as the most positive force on the planet for generating sustainable economic and social value. Visit www.babson.edu

Media Contacts:
Michael Chmura, [email protected], 781-239-4549

This news release was issued on behalf of Newswise(TM). For more information, visit http://www.newswise.com.

SOURCE Babson College