Alianza in Provo wins business plan contest

Provo-based Alianza, a company offering reduced telephone rates to Mexican residents by routing calls through the Internet, was named winner of Brigham Young University's Business Plan Competition.

Alianza received a $50,000 award of cash and in-kind services, plus a $9,000 Global Award from BYU's Center for Entrepreneurship and Global Management Center at the Marriott School of Management.

More than 65 business plans were submitted from students representing 20 majors. PICS Auditing, which supplies businesses with information to hire contractors who meet government and industry safety standards, won second place, which included $30,000 in cash and in-kind services.