Photos of Matt Anderson, Evan Hendsbee, and Jeffrey Sooner
Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne has announced the three finalists for its 2019 New Venture Competition. The competition began in 2011, and this year’s champion will receive up to $20,000 in start-up capital for presenting the best business plan for his or her small business.
The finalists and their businesses are as follows:
- Evan Hendsbee, visual communications
graduate
Company: Kingdom Film Company, LLC
“Kingdom Film Company is a video production company that specializes in editing services for churches and businesses. We collaborate with clients to creatively bring their story online with short promotional and inspirational videos.” - Matt Anderson, automotive technology
graduate
Company: Anderson Manufacturing
“Anderson Manufacturing specializes in the manufacturing advanced work holding solutions for small to medium size machine shops. Our Serra Jaw allows machine shops to begin the machining process right away without the need to design complicated fixtures or purchase special jaws to hold their parts.” - Jeffrey M. Sonner, engineering graduate
Company: Just-A-Little-Smoke BBQ
“Just-A-Little-Smoke is a startup BBQ food trailer that began over 30 years ago. From a small gas grille then to a custom-designed and built smoker and full-service food trailer today, we aim to become the tristate area’s definition of BBQ.”
The New Venture Competition awards dinner will be held Sept. 25 on Ivy Tech Fort Wayne’s Coliseum Campus, 3800 N. Anthony Blvd., in Room CC1640. Finalists will present their business plans, and community judges will vote on the New Venture champion at the event.
The competition has partnered with Fort Wayne SCORE, a group that grows successful small businesses across the country. The group, made of volunteer experienced business owners and managers, will provide mentorship for the finalists.
The New Venture Competition is sponsored by JB Tool, Die & Engineering and owners Dave and Mary Bear. ProFed Credit Union is the event’s dinner sponsor.
The following individuals served as judges in determining the finalists:
- Steve Franks, local entrepreneur
- Carla Quickel, faculty at Ivy Tech Fort Wayne
- Kel Preston, local entrepreneur
- Alan Short, faculty at Ivy Tech Marion
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