GCC Students Make Finals in Entrepreneurship Contest

GROVE CITY, Pennsylvania — Two sophomores at Grove City College are finalists in a nationwide business pitch competition with the chance to win $50,000 dollars in startup funding.

Ethan David and Luke Gilligan’s idea, Resense, is one of 12 finalists out of 160 entries in the Washington University of St. Louis’ Olin Business School BIG IdeaBounce contest. The two are the only undergraduates to make the finals.

Resense develops and delivers resources for people with dementia and memory loss. Their main product, the memory box, is filled with activities meant to stimulate the brain.

“The box includes different items and activities that are targeted to exercise and strengthen specific senses that are lost as the disease progresses with the goal to increase memory recall,” said David.

“We completed over 50 interviews of mental health professionals specializing in dementia and memory loss diseases, as well as those affected by dementia and their families.”

David and Gilligan came up with the idea for Resense in Lean Launchpad, which focuses on the lean startup method and is taught by entrepreneurship professor Yvonne English.

“Luke and Ethan made it to the final round of a competition that started with a large number of entries from competitors that included doctoral candidates, active consultants and seasoned professionals,” English said.

“This is an amazing accomplishment for an undergraduate team and speaks to the relevance and potential of their venture idea.”

The winner of the competition will be determined in March when the top three finalists give their pitches, in-person, at Washington University of St. Louis.

You can vote for Resense for the competition’s People’s Choice Award HERE.

Pictured at top: Ethan David and Luke Gilligan and their company’s Memory Box.

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