Michael Churey and Mark Bittorf

Faculty of Business students Mark Bittorf and Mike Churey failed to win top prize but garnered high praise at the 2011 National Nicol Entrepreneurial Award Competition in Ottawa.

Winners of the Brock Nicol Competition, Bittorf and Churey’s “Conquer Climbing Centre” impressed many of the judges with their solid business plan as well as presentation skills.

Wes Nicol, founder of the award, was particularly impressed by Bittorf and Churey’s business idea and expressed great personal interest in their plan.

“All in all, Brock was very well represented in the event,” said faculty advisor Dominic Lim.

The “Conquer Climbing Centre” aims to be the premier indoor rock climbing facility in the London, Ont. region. It will target older and somewhat more serious climbers.

Brock was one of six finalists in this prestigious business plan competition. Their venture brought a first-round prize of $5,000. No prize money is awarded in the final round, won this year by Carleton University.

Carleton’s winning team, comprised of fourth-year engineering students Curtis Parks and Chris Polowick, won for “Next Generation Flight.” They took top honours for their plan to sell the services of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to commercial companies needing aerial survey data.

The other finalists included Acadia, Manitoba, St. Francis Xavier and Wilfrid Laurier.

Over 450 students from 14 participating universities competed for the Nicol Award this year.

Brock’s Nico Verhoef and Marty Verhey were the 2010 winners, with their “Perfect Patch.” They are currently working on a pilot run of their new organic growing method by partnering with a strawberry grower in the region.

Related story:
• Brock business team makes it to Nicol finals | The Brock News