Kansas State University's Launch A Business program works with entrepreneurs to teach them about all aspects of business. MeltPoint Environmental won the first year's $50,000 award of cash and in-kind prizes.

1. A quick look at the 2014 LAB
Launch Party held on August 12

2. MeltPoint Environmental, Caldwell, for the MeltPoint Surgical Bluewrap Recovery
Machine, an innovative proprietary device that allows health care facilities to
reduce the large amount of surgical bluewrap that ends up in landfills.
NMotion UAS, Hesston, provides advanced unmanned aircraft systems and solutions
for public safety professionals during emergencies. NMotion's systems are
engineered for rapid deployment when seconds count, allowing officials to see more
while risking personnel less by utilizing immediate aerial support on scene.
Ligosphere, Kansas City, makes a free mobile app designed to fit college students'
busy lives. Students can post, find and share things like events, jobs and internships,
items to buy and sell, and more. Ligosphere also connects local businesses with
students to post deals, discounts and promotions on the app.
Impact Engineering, based in Manhattan, aims to create simple, reliable,
inexpensive solutions to large societal problems, making everyday life more
efficient and safe for everybody. A sample of projects being pursued include a text
blocking and vehicle analytical tool connected to a phone app, traffic light
synchronization software to improve traffic flow with minimal red light stops, and a
proprietary safety whistle.
10 Kansas companies were selected to participate
in the LAB program, which offered business training and
mentorship to entrepreneurs

3. Jonah Ventures, Manhattan, reconstructs the diets of animals using the latest
sequencing technologies. Its services provide a quantitative reconstruction of
herbivore diets by sequencing short segments of plant DNA that have made it
through the digestive system.
Radiation Detection Technologies Inc., Manhattan, leverages advanced radiation
detection products to meet its customers' needs with these advanced technologies.
Aphrodite Apparel, Overland Park, creates custom fit intimate apparel by using the
latest 3-D body imaging technology to gather hundreds of unique measurements to
fashion bras to each woman's exact physical specifications for superb comfort, style
and fit.
Tikitum Sensory Learning Lab, Overland Park, makes science come alive for children
by letting them use their senses to learn, explore and experiment.
VeriQuik Consulting and Services, Shawnee, is a screening company that performs
voluntary background checks. The company's permission-based model allows the end
user to be the gatekeeper of his or her own information.
Sidesinger Custom Cabinets, Topeka, is a custom cabinet and woodworking shop that
designs, builds and installs quality custom woodworking projects for homeowners
and building contractors in the Topeka area.

4. Custom startup lessons designed and delivered by top K-State
faculty, covering topics such as strategy, marketing, human
resources, and finance
One-on-one mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs in the K-
state network
Hands-on market and competitor research conducted by K-State
graduate and undergraduate business school students
One participating venture that demonstrates the most progress
and commitment will be selected to win a cash and in-kind prize
package valued at $50,000
 $5,000 cash prize
 Custom website and Facebook page design from CivicPlus
 Custom apparel from GTM Sportswear
 1 year of hosted Microsoft Business Services Suite from NetStandard
 Radio Advertising from Rocking M Radio
Participating LAB businesses received:

5. MeltPoint Environmental won the grand
prize.
MeltPoint CEO Chad May accepted the prize check from KSU College of
Business Administration Dean Ali Malekzadeh.

6. MeltPoint CEO Chad May pitched his company to event attendees; here he
showed the blue wrap material used in sterilization processes at hospitals. His
company makes a product that compacts that material to save landfill space.

7. May showed what the blue wrap looks like after it is put in a thermal
densification machine, a proprietary process owned by his company.

8. Three companies were
selected to pitch their
businesses to the audience.
Nmotion UAS, which offers
training and products to
emergency services on using
drones (unmanned aircraft
systems) to make conditions
safer in the field, was
discussed by John Martens.

9. Dustin Abercrombie pitched
his company Veriquik
Consulting & Services, which
provides online identity
authentication to people who
might be using services likes
Craigslist or dating services.

10. To learn more about the
Kansas State University
Launch A Business program,
visit the College of Business
Administration
website at
http://www.k-state.edu/lab/