UW-Whitewater: Senior from Waupaca wins business plan contest at UW-Whitewater

Tyler Sailsbery’s idea to make it easier for college students to find housing helped him win the fourth annual Warhawk Business Plan Competition at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

His business proposal for NoMoreDorms.com, a website serving students and property owners, impressed a six-judge panel and won the top prize of $5,000 in the May 6 competition.

Sailsbery, a senior from Waupaca, topped a field that began with nearly 80 entries before being winnowed through three earlier rounds of judging.

Victory wasn’t easy. William Dougan, the Irvin L. Young Professor of Entrepreneurship at UW-Whitewater, said the caliber of competition is increasing every year.

“It takes more than just a good idea to win,” Dougan said. Many finalists have had success in previous ventures or other business plan contests, he said.

The annual Warhawk competition is sponsored by the student organization Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization.

Second place and $2,500 went to Jordan Leahy, a junior from Mount Horeb, for ClestKiwi, a business aimed at reducing teen driving accidents by allowing other motorists to report unsafe driving by young drivers.

Sailsbery and Leahy will advance to the Mason Wells BizStarts Milwaukee Collegiate Business Plan Competition to compete May 26 against teams from other area colleges and universities.

Warhawk finalists were judged on the viability of their enterprise and its originality, market potential, social impact, completeness, mechanics and attractiveness for investors or donors.

Prize money was donated by UW-Whitewater alumnus Greg Kolton and his wife, Heidi Kolton, and their successful venture, Foundations Bank of Pewaukee. They have made new venture clients an important part of their overall strategy.

Judges were Ellie Berg, who manages the Center for Entrepreneurial Growth at Foundations Bank; Jim Lindenberg, owner of the Milwaukee Wave professional soccer team; Peter Scherrer, owner of Peter Scherrer Group, Burlington; Craig Schiefelbein, founder and CEO of Paragon Development Systems, Oconomowoc; Greg Meier, board chair of Lansare Corporation, Milwaukee; and John Rongner, commercial loan officer, First Citizens Bank of Whitewater.