Strategic’s Ken Shimberg Judges George Washington University’s New Venture Competition Finals

On April 11th, twelve team finalists took the stage to present their best startup ideas across four tracks: Consumer Goods and Services, Business Goods and Services, Social Innovation, Healthcare and Life Sciences, and Explorer. This event marked the 16th Annual New Venture Competition (NVC) hosted by the GW Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

This year, Strategic’s Ken Shimberg, CFA served as a judge during the final round of the competition. His role was pivotal in evaluating and recognizing outstanding entrepreneurial endeavors. Among the standout participants, Team IN-LOCATOR secured first place in the Business Goods and Services Track. They also won Strategic’s Best Financial Understanding prize. Their innovative app aims to empower retailers by providing customer data, enhancing satisfaction through indoor navigation, augmented reality mapping, personalized shopping lists, and tailored rebates—streamlining the in-store experience.

A total of 192 teams participated in this year’s NVC, a tradition that began in 2009. From these teams, twelve team finalists emerged after rigorous semifinal rounds. The awards ceremony celebrated their achievements, with NVC granting over $330,000 in prizes, including $157,000 in cash. Additionally, winners received valuable in-kind prizes such as legal counsel, office space, and professional consultation services to support the launch of their ideas. Congratulations to all the teams! Strategic is proud to participate in and sponsor one of the largest nationally recognized student entrepreneurship competitions.

Learn more about the 2024 NVC Competition Winners.