U. school names winners of Entrepreneur Challenge

The David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah announced the winning business plans in the 2004 Utah Entrepreneur Challenge at a ceremony held this week.

The competition, hosted this year by the U., is a seven-month program open to college and university students statewide. The team with the most "plausible and promising business plan" is awarded a cash prize of $40,000. Secondary prizes also are given, worth more than $100,000.

First place — Tropi-Cool, the winner of $40,000 plus in-kind services, is a Latin-style ice cream store, offering patrons unique, handmade fruit creations using traditional Mexican flavors like avocado and rice pudding.
• Runner-up — The Mayan Tree, winner of $5,000 plus in-kind services, is a tropical fruit distributor, importing dried tropical fruit from Guatemala for sale in the United States and international organic/natural food markets.

• Runner-up — Silent Whistle, winner of $5,000 plus in-kind services, provides an anonymous reporting system allowing employees of an organization to identify fraud, harassment, discrimination, substance abuse and other issues within the company.

More than 400 Utah students competed this year.