Incubator announces winners of Student Business Competition Powered by AT&T

The Fredonia Technology Incubator (FTI) declared its winners for the Second Annual Student Business Competition powered by AT&T.

Nate Winn and Alex Czechowski won the grand prize of $500 and one year-rent free at FTI with their business, Nexnest, and Kermit Mitchell III won the second prize of $250 and six months-rent free at FTI with his business, Resumaze.

Nexnest is a desktop and mobile application which allows landlords to secure tenants for their property leases, while creating an interactive, social environment for potential tenants to find prospective housing in the greater Fredonia community. Resumaze is a completely online, on-demand resume editing and creation service for college and high school students.

As envisioned, the student business competition provides an opportunity for our students to start their own business in an environment that provides essential support, education and mentoring,” said Chuck Cornell, incubator director. “The competition also draws our students into our community with an opportunity for us to keep them, and their businesses, here in Northern Chautauqua County.”

"It has been an honor to collaborate with Fredonia and the Fredonia Technology Incubator again to support this competition and to provide young local entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their intellect, passion, and ingenuity,” said Benjamin Roberts, director of Public Affairs of AT&T. “AT&T sees it as essential to encourage and foster the next generation of business pioneers so they can positively impact their communities and strengthen Western New York’s growing innovation economy and promote economic development throughout New York."

The finals were held on April 19 at FTI and winners can begin to use their office space in May. The contestants pitched their businesses to the judges, followed by questions from the judges. After deliberations, the judges came back with their first and second prize winners, but were very impressed with all of the contestants’ ideas and business plans. The incubator and AT&T came together to provide the other six contestants with one month affiliate membership at FTI, which allows them to utilize the services of the incubator to enhance their ideas and help make them a reality.

AT&T’s support for this competition grows out of the company’s commitment to foster local innovation by providing entrepreneurs with the resources they need to positively impact their communities and strengthen the growing entrepreneurial and innovation economy of  Western New York. The Fredonia Student Business Competition closely aligns with AT&T’s dedication to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its community initiatives and collaborations, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; or address community needs.

For questions or more information, contact FTI via email or call 716-680-6009.

The Fredonia Technology Incubator promotes economic growth in Western New York by supporting entrepreneurship and the development of new, innovative companies into successful business ventures. The incubator is part of Fredonia’s Division of Engagement and Economic Development (EED), established in 2013 to facilitate and support university-community collaborations that enhance the intellectual, cultural, artistic and economic vibrancy of the region.