2004-2005 Competition Winners
Social Entrepreneurship Track Winner
Shift Media
Jason Rissman (MBA ’06), Mark Spelber, Sean Pfitzenmaier, Kelly Thomas (MBA ’06) and Dina Madhani
Shift Media is a multi-platform media company that brings sustainable lifestyle choices to the mainstream and aims to tap the $230 billion a year and growing “Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability” market. With internationally acclaimed writers, a sharp, modern design and pop culture news, Shift will demonstrate that all individuals can have a positive impact on the environment without sacrificing quality of life or style.
Traditional Business Track Winner
Norooz Productions
Shabnam Rezaei (MBA ’01), Aly Jetha, Dustin Ellis and Mastaneh Moghadam
Norooz Productions is an entertainment production and distribution company that creates products for multi-cultural families that has already launched its first product, a Disney-style animation “Babak and Friends,” about the Iranian New Year, featuring the voice of Oscar nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo. In the future, Norooz aims to replicate the model for other ethnic markets, including India and Korea.
Traditional Business Track Runner-up
Auricle
Founders: S. Brent Ridge, M.D. (MBA ’05) and Jonathan Steiman
Auricle is a nationwide hearing aid retailer aiming to reposition hearing aids as high-tech, luxury lifestyle-enhancing products in a retail environment, rather than as stigmatized medical devices.
Shift Media
Jason Rissman (MBA ’06), Mark Spelber, Sean Pfitzenmaier, Kelly Thomas (MBA ’06) and Dina Madhani
Shift Media is a multi-platform media company that brings sustainable lifestyle choices to the mainstream and aims to tap the $230 billion a year and growing “Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability” market. With internationally acclaimed writers, a sharp, modern design and pop culture news, Shift will demonstrate that all individuals can have a positive impact on the environment without sacrificing quality of life or style.
Traditional Business Track Winner
Norooz Productions
Shabnam Rezaei (MBA ’01), Aly Jetha, Dustin Ellis and Mastaneh Moghadam
Norooz Productions is an entertainment production and distribution company that creates products for multi-cultural families that has already launched its first product, a Disney-style animation “Babak and Friends,” about the Iranian New Year, featuring the voice of Oscar nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo. In the future, Norooz aims to replicate the model for other ethnic markets, including India and Korea.
Traditional Business Track Runner-up
Auricle
Founders: S. Brent Ridge, M.D. (MBA ’05) and Jonathan Steiman
Auricle is a nationwide hearing aid retailer aiming to reposition hearing aids as high-tech, luxury lifestyle-enhancing products in a retail environment, rather than as stigmatized medical devices.