Entrepreneurs compete in Fallon Challenge
College of Business
SUMMARY: The annual contest awards a $1000 scholarship to each team member for the best values-based business idea.
Pictured above (L-R): Abby Fallon, Austin Fallon, Edie Fallon, Ivan Jackson, Alyse Powell and Meredythe Fallon
October 24 saw the latest Fallon Challenge, an annual event that allows teams of students from across campus to compete in an entrepreneurial pitch contest. Billed as a Shark Tank-style competition, it is named in memory of Rodney J. Fallon, the father of three proud JMU CoB graduates, Austin (’15), Abby (’16) and Meredythe (’12).
The panel of judges featured business leaders Darrell Branch of Box Out Group, Steve Gilman of Gravity Group, Sandra Tran of Nicecream and Brian Trow of Mossy Creek Fly Fishing, with Gil Welsford of Nicecream acting as emcee.
This year the winning team consisted of social work major Alyse Powell, and CIS/SMAD double major Ivan Jackson. Their product idea is a small, wearable device called Allert that is designed to combat violent crime. It can be activated in an emergency to startle an attacker and alert local authorities as well as those around the user.
Jackson was excited about the contest, saying “It felt great to win among so many other great business ideas, but more importantly, the feedback we received from the judges, fellow competitors, and faculty in attendance was invaluable.” Powell added, “To see what we value put into action to make the world a safer place is worth all the effort we’ve put forth thus far.”
Following the Fallon Challenge, the winning team has been sponsored by the JMU Center for Entrepreneurship to compete in the TCU Neeley School of Business Values & Ventures Competition, to be held in April, 2019 in Fort Worth, Texas.
