Blacksburg Entrepreneurs Receive More Than $35,000 in Cash and Prizes in Contest Co-sponsored by Roanoke Regional Entrepreneur Center

Skill-Capped, Inc., a video tutorial technology for on-line gamers, a company owned by Jeff Brabant, Cell Arrington, and Jordan Garcia, based in Blacksburg, VA, was the big winner on October 27, 2011 at Super Synergy (www.supersynergy.org). Skill-Capped, Inc., has capitalized on the pipeline of millions of on-line video gamers throughout the world and is positioned properly to take advantage of a growing niche with their proprietary software. They beat out a field of more than 178 entrepreneurs in the EXPAND! contest (www.expandcontest.com) that began on August 23, 2011 and ended with a 5 minute presentation against a field of 4 other entrepreneurs that included two other Blacksburg based companies, Engagn and BlinkMatchApp. The Roanoke Regional Entrepreneur Center was the title sponsor for the EXPAND! contest. Jeff Brabant, one of the owners of Skill-Capped, Inc., had this to say about winning, "Winning is great and we're super excited about the package we'll get, but the entire process really helped us get a good perspective on some of our business concepts and pushed us to develop clear and immediate goals for expansion." Attendees at Super Synergy (www.supersynergy.org), an annual forum for entrepreneurs thats been sold out for 3 years in a row, were treated to presentations by the five semi-finalists in the competition. In addition, more than 175 business owners learned from more than 41 facilitators, speakers, and performers. The diversity of ideas, skill and ingenuity was a striking representation of the best that our area has to offer. There is no denying that despite a difficult economy, hope is alive and well among those with an entrepreneurial drive. All of the finalists had a company that would improve the local economy while expanding their national reach. The entrepreneurs included Doctors Lennox McNeary and Cheri Wiggins presenting their company Milkin Cookies www.milkincookies.com. They provide a natural, healthy lactation cookie for nursing mothers. Their healthy snack may soon be carried by Whole Foods. BlinkMatchApp (blinkmatchapp.com) is a resource for matching graduating students with employers. They recognize that the existing job application system is antiquated and are poised to take recruiting efforts by storm. One of their many accomplishments includes a licensing agreement with Virginia Tech. This company is spearheaded by the husband and wife team of Allan and Pam Tsang. Engagn (engagn.com) presents easy to use applications for restaurants to receive immediate feedback by smart phone. Their business can provide solutions to other industries as well. They are capitalizing on the current trend of consumers scanning QR codes to receive information. The trio of entrepreneurs includes a graduate, current student, and a professor, all from Virginia Tech.

Natures Nectars (drinkfrizzante.com) started out as an all natural drink manufacturer. President Sharisse Brookins is as bubbly and refreshing as her nectars. They may soon be revolutionizing the industry with their patented preservative. Look for them to bring their manufacturing facility to the Roanoke Valley as they expand. There is potential for their patent to provide real solutions to third world countries and their water supply. The Roanoke Regional Entrepreneur Center (www.Entrepreneur-Center.org) provides new and growing businesses not only office space, but a synergistic environment for collaboration, assistance and mentoring.