A 2000 Brigham Young University graduate believes improving student Internet access will pay off and the judges agreed. Becky Tate, a recent graduate from the Marriott School at BYU, led a team of students from BYU and Utah Valley State College (UVSC) to a first place finish at the Utah Entrepreneur Challenge 6 May 2000. Their winning business plan, CityNet, was selected from thirty-five entries representing universities and colleges throughout the state. The CityNet team consisted of Tate, John Benson, a BYU engineering student, Logan Clark, a UVSC business student and Paul Wilson, a UVSC business student.
CityNet’s business plan was devised to give students greater accessibility to Internet information by installing fast Internet T1 lines in apartment complexes. The students proposed installing Ethernet jacks in each apartment — permitting residents to use the Internet simultaneously without tying up existing phone lines. They also envision CityNet becoming the sole Internet service provider for these complexes.
“Through our business, life will be easier for students because they will have fast Internet access rights in their apartments,” Tate said.
CityNet not only sounds good for students, but also to prospective investors. In addition to winning$10,000, the CityNet team was independently awarded a package of services valued at $20,000 from the Wayne Brown Institute, a local venture capital organization. The Wayne Brown Institute will help CityNet prepare their plan for investors, Tate said.
“The CityNet team did their homework,” said Hal Heaton, Marriott School professor of business management. “They researched the technology needed to develop their plan and its related costs. They also conducted market analysis to tailor their product to customers’ needs.”
With her involvement in CityNet, Tate said that her enthusiasm for entrepreneurial work has grown.“The real adventure in business is starting something you have created and making it work.” She concluded, “This is a challenge of all your skills.”
At the Utah Entrepreneur Challenge, all four BYU entrepreneurial teams made it to the competition’s semi-final round and three made it to the final round. BYU teams took first and second place at the competition. The second place prize went to Nathan Gardner and Justin Mabey of the team, I-Moments.com.
The Center for Entrepreneurship at BYU’s Marriott School was established in 1989 to encourage and support students in understanding how to successfully start and open business ventures and to advance entrepreneurship internationally. Courses in entrepreneur principles, practical experiences and case studies are taught by faculty and practicing entrepreneurs.
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Writer: Carrie Lundgren (801) 378-1512