Winners of the 2005 Olin Cup Competition to be announced Dec. 1

WHAT: Olin Cup awards ceremony and reception.

WHERE: Washington University, Olin School of Business. May Auditorium in Simon Hall (just off Forsyth near Big Bend).

WHEN: Thursday, December 1, 2005. 5 to 7 p.m.

WHO: Robert J. Skandalaris, chairman and founder of Noble International will give the keynote address. Also, recipients of the $75,000 worth of funding awards will be announced.

WHY: After months of planning, seeking feedback and presenting business plans, the six finalists for the 2005 Olin Cup Competition will find out who won the seed money that will help bring their business ideas to fruition. The Olin Cup Competition is an annual business formation contest organized by The Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Washington University in St. Louis.

Teams who create viable business ventures with a high probability of success will receive a total of $70,000 in seed investments. Additionally, a $5,000 grant will be awarded to the best student-owned venture.

This year's finalists are:

• Champion4Fitness - a professional services company focused on the corporate wellness industry.

• homeWUrk (student owned) - web based retailer targeting the international student population coming to the US.

• iMobile Access Technologies (IMAT) - a company that will dramatically expand media and communication opportunities for the hearing impaired.

• iMirage Studios - a mobile photography service providing specialized, personalized, portrait quality photography services.

• Somark Innovations - an asset identification and tracking company using a bio-compatable materials.

• Suzanne Shenkman Designs - (student owned) - a distinctive fashion accessories company that uses vintage men's neckties.

Prior to announcing the winners, Robert Skandalaris, champion of entrepreneurial growth, will discuss the importance of innovation to individual businesses and to the economy. Skandalaris recently authored the book, Rebuilding the American Dream: Restoring American Jobs and Competitiveness, with the help of Ken Harrington, senior lecturer in entrepreneurship at the Olin School of Business and managing director of the Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at WUSTL.