Delaware Valley University Announces Judges for Fifth Annual Spark Bowl Event
Doylestown, PA (11/13/2024) — Delaware Valley University, the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce and Startup Bucks is excited to announce the panel of distinguished judges for the fifth annual Spark Bowl competition, which will be held on November 21, 2024.
Inspired by the hit TV show Shark Tank, Spark Bowl awards thousands of dollars in prizes to local small businesses. The venue for this year's event is the Life Sciences Building Auditorium on DelVal's main campus in Doylestown. Doors open at 5 p.m. for networking and refreshments, giving area entrepreneurs and small business owners the chance to connect. The main event begins at 6 p.m. and will conclude around 8 p.m.
Five local businesses, each representing a unique industry, will present their ideas or products to the panel of judges in 15-minute pitches. The industries featured this year include non-profit, artificial intelligence and automated tools for the healthcare industry, business automation, delivery services and software. Last year's winners took home a combined $21,000 in prizes, raising expectations for another year of outstanding entrepreneurial innovation.
As part of DelVal's experiential learning program, advisors from the DelVal Small Business and Entrepreneur Center work closely with DelVal students who serve as business consultants for the Spark Bowl competitors. The winning student teams will also receive prize money in recognition of their efforts. Spark Bowl is made possible through the generosity of Bucks County businesses and individual sponsors, supporting innovation in the local business community.
Meet the Judges
Michael Araten
President and CEO, Sterling Drive Ventures, LP
Michael Araten leads Sterling Drive Ventures, a family office that includes The Rodon Group, a leader in automated plastics injection molding used in over 100 industries, including food, pharmaceutical, construction and toys. His latest venture, SillDry, sets a high standard for window and door flashing in residential and commercial settings. Prior to his current role, Michael was President and CEO of K'NEX Brands where over 95% of component parts are made in Hatfield, Pa. and distributed in 40 countries.
Daniel Moloney
Investor and Advisor in Technology and Telecom
Daniel Moloney advises early-stage technology firms in data, analytics and communications. He also serves as Chairman of Adeia, Inc., an innovation leader in media, entertainment and semiconductors. With nearly three decades in technology and telecom, including as President of Motorola Mobility, Moloney's expertise spans from data to fintech and software.
Blair Rush
Southeast Region President, C&N Bank
A DelVal alumnus, Blair Rush has over 40 years in banking, serving in senior roles across several institutions. In 2020, Rush joined C&N Bank as Southeast Region President. Active in his community, Rush also serves on the DelVal Board of Trustees and the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce.
William (Bill) Schutt
Founder, Delaware Valley Saxophone Quartet
Bill Schutt is a celebrated entrepreneur featured in TIME Magazine, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and more, with appearances on Good Morning America and FOX News. His extensive nonprofit work includes mentoring and board memberships. Bill is a former DelVal Trustee and holds an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Delaware Valley University.
About Delaware Valley University
Delaware Valley University is a private, comprehensive, nonprofit university educating students with a curriculum that emphasizes and requires experiential learning. Located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles north of Philadelphia, the University offers 28 undergraduate majors in business, arts and sciences, and agricultural and environmental sciences; ten master's degrees; and a doctorate in education. Founded in 1896, DelVal has been cited by the National Society for Experiential Education as having the country's top experiential learning program, by Princeton Review as one of the best colleges in the Northeast, and by College Factual as having one of the top 20 animal science programs in the country.
Media Attachments
Last year's Spark Bowl Winning Business, Bye Bye Cry, with the winning student team from Delaware Valley
Delaware Valley University
christopher.elliott@delval.edu, (215-489-4961)Share this Story
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