![\"\"](\"http:\/\/business.fiu.edu\/newsletters\/BusinessNetworks\/December2006\/images\/ANogueras0010.jpg\")
\nAlexis Nogueras <\/span>(MBA \u201906)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
But when a panel of judges heard College of Business Administration graduate Alexis Nogueras<\/strong> (MBA \u201906) present his plan for ergonomically designed lawn and garden tools, they were sold\u2014and named Nogueras and his company, G-Force Tools, a winner.<\/p>\n Sponsored by the Eugenio Pino and Family Global Entrepreneurship Center, Nogueras beat teams from five other universities in the competition\u2019s limited investment track. In May of this year, Nogueras was named graduate-level winner in the center\u2019s 2006 Howard J. Leonhardt New Venture Challenge.<\/p>\n Solid market research and working prototypes drive winning plan.<\/em><\/p>\n When Nogeuras first conceived the idea of G-Force tools, his research indicated that a large number of recreational gardeners are grooming flower and vegetable gardens\u2014with no ergonomic tools on the market for them to buy.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe my professionally built prototypes of a shovel and rake gave me an edge over the competition,\u201d Nogueras said. \u201cThis showed the judges that the idea was tangible and likely to succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n Joyce J. Elam<\/strong>, executive dean of the college, praised the G-Force Tools business plan.<\/p>\n \u201cThe idea is simple to explain, very well researched, and already in the implementation phase,\u201d she said. \u201cJudges saw a product consumers can readily understand and are likely to purchase.\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking as one of the judges of the inaugural statewide event, Noel J. Guillama<\/strong>, president and chief executive of The Quantum Group, Inc., a South Florida-based business that delivers health care solutions, said that the decision was unanimous to name G-Force Tools the winner.<\/p>\n \u201cNogueras\u2019 presentation was passionate and convincing. I believe his product has a real opportunity to be delivered into the marketplace,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Guillama, who also has served three times as a New Venture Challenge judge, offered positive feedback about the structure of the competition itself.<\/p>\n \u201cThe judges found the luncheon that followed the business plan competition extremely valuable,\u201d he said. \u201cIt gave us a chance to engage directly with the presenters and to share our thoughts, reactions, and recommendations with them in a more open, informal setting.\u201d<\/p>\n Competition strengthens entrepreneurial connections.<\/em><\/p>\n According to Alan Carsrud<\/strong>, executive director of the Pino Center, one of the college\u2019s major goals is to teach and spread an entrepreneurial culture across all majors.<\/p>\n \u201cWins such as Nogueras\u2019 validate the work and research we do on entrepreneurship,\u201d Carsrud said. \u201cIt is about combining creativity and business know-how, and he offers a great example.\u201d<\/p>\n The business plan competition provided a unique opportunity for the Pino Center to participate in forward-thinking discussions on entrepreneurship in Florida.<\/p>\n \u201cThe competition gave people from each of the schools that organized it the chance to sit down together and talk about entrepreneurship as a whole\u2014and how it\u2019s growing as an academic discipline,\u201d said Colleen Post<\/strong>, associate director of the Pino Center. \u201cOur discussions added to the value of the event.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to the Pino Center, the organizing committee for the statewide competition included representatives from the entrepreneurship centers at six other Florida schools: Rollins College, the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida, the University of Miami, the University of South Florida, and the University of Tampa.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n \n ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/business.fiu.edu\/newsletters\/BusinessNetworks\/December2006\/images\/ANogueras0012.jpg\")
\nAlexis Nogueras <\/span>(MBA \u201906)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n