Student wins $30,000 in national business competition

Student teams from Grand Valley took first and second place at the Outdoor Weber Competition March 23, hosted by Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. 

Jordan Vanderham and Jared Seifert won first prize and $30,000 for their product, Orindi Mask. Designed for cold weather industrial workers, the mask helps regulate heat and humidity which prevents frostbite, hypothermia and other health concerns.

Katarina Samardzija won second place and $7,500 for her Locker Lifestyle idea. The company provides users with a place to keep small valuables when exercising or being active. The products are designed to be worn on the head or wrist and securely holding small items in place.

Zach Skoheim received an honorable mention for his product, the Trail Tracker, which helps prevent off-road vehicles from colliding.

More than 80 contestants nationwide submitted a 90-second video pitch of an outdoor-product idea. The top 10 met in Ogden from March 21-23 where they were mentored by Utah business leaders, entrepreneurs and outdoor recreation specialists. On March 23, the finalists pitched a panel of judges to compete for the $30,000 grand prize. 

Winning students were mentored by Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World and host of CNBC's "The Profit." Lemonis provided students with the same high-caliber opportunities he offers participants on his television show.

"This was a life-altering experience," Samardzjia said. Lemonis offered Samardzjia an opportunity to visit his manufacturing facility in New Jersey to help develop her product.

Tim Syfert, clinical affiliate faculty of management at Grand Valley who helped mentor the students, said: "Grand Valley faculty help prepare every student or team that attends business plan and pitch competitions. We help students craft compelling presentations based on our experiences and the specific competitions they attend. GVSU entrepreneurs are now nationally recognized by most of the Tier 1 business schools as having a formidable program to prepare student entrepreneurs."

Shorouq Almallah, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Grand Valley, said a commitment to teaching and mentoring forms the foundations of the entrepreneurship program at Grand Valley. 

"Excellent faculty are essential to the success of our students, as well as all the other resources and experiences that the center offers to give the students 'real world' and hands-on opportunities to pursue their passions and turn their dreams into reality," she said. "Students like Jordan and Katarina, not only work hard, but also excel in leveraging all the resources, mentoring and support offered to them here and in the community."