LEXINGTON, Ky.–Student entrepreneurs from the University of Louisville’s College of Business took top honors in the graduate business concept category at Idea State U, a statewide business plan contest organized by Kentucky Science and Technology Corp.
UofL’s team, PDM Pharmaceuticals, won $5,500 at the competition, which took place April 12-13 at Lexington Center.
The team pitched a business plan for PlaqAway, a toothpaste additive that appears to kill the bacteria causing gum disease. UofL dentistry professor Don Demuth developed the additive and the team has the option to license the product through UofL’s Office of Technology Transfer.
Team members, all entrepreneurship MBA students, are Shalin Shah, Hunter Gerlach, Justin Breitenstein, Melissa Bagley and Mary Thorsby.
All of Kentucky’s eight state universities competed at Idea State U., which encourages student entrepreneurs to develop business ideas with real world potential.