Javier A. Gasnarez III has been named champion of Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne and Warsaw’s 2022 New Venture Competition, which took place Thursday evening on Ivy Tech Fort Wayne’s Coliseum Campus. He won $40,000 in capital for his business, Let It Glow Detail, a premium car detailing service, with both a brick and mortar location and mobile services.

With the $40,000 he won from the New Venture Competition, Gasnarez will expand operations by making his van fully mobile, purchase a generator and water tank, and eventually expand to a southwest Fort Wayne location.

Students and alumni are eligible to compete in the New Venture Competition after successfully completing a certificate from the Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Ivy Tech Fort Wayne and Warsaw. Gasnarez says he is grateful for the New Venture Competition and the Entrepreneurship program for the opportunity to grow his business.

“It’s cliché, but winning this competition is going to change my world,” said Gasnarez. “I knew when I started in the Entrepreneurship program that this day was the goal. It was challenging, but it made me think of things I never would have considered, like competing in The Blox, an entrepreneurship reality TV competition. I can’t wait to go home and tell my wife and kids and show them my trophy. This is all for them.”

Gasnarez presented his business plan to more than 30 community professionals, who served as judges. The other finalists were Rachel Nally, of Local Apple Cart, an ice cream food truck that is expanding to the new Union Street Market; and Ginny Ritchie, of Ginny Rose Studio, an esthetician-owned studio specializing in full body waxing for both anatomies, custom facials, massages and permanent makeup.

Each finalist presented for 10 minutes. After the presentations, judges were given an additional 10 minutes for a question-and-answer session. The judges had been provided the contestants’ business plans prior to the event.

The New Venture Competition is sponsored by Dave and Mary Bear, former owners of JB Tool, Die & Engineering. ProFed Credit Union was the event’s dinner sponsor.

Learn more about Entrepreneurship at Ivy Tech Fort Wayne and Warsaw at IvyTech.edu/study-entrepreneurship or request admission information at link.ivytech.edu/beyourownboss