MEDIA CONTACT: Bob Keltie
561-297-3177, keltie@fau.edu

Le Spa, StrategicPoints LLC Win FAU's 2004 Business Plan Competition

BOCA RATON, FL (April 15, 2004) - The InternetCoast Institute's Adams Center for IT Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital in Florida Atlantic University's College of Business, in conjunction with the Stiles-Nicholson Foundation, announced the 2004 Business Plan Competition winners at the College of Business Annual Business Leader of the Year Breakfast at the Boca Raton Resort & Club on March 31. The winners, Le Spa and StrategicPoints LLC, will each receive $5000 to fund their business venture.

A panel of seasoned entrepreneurs and venture capitalists judged business plans created by FAU students, alumni, faculty, staff and local community members. Each participating company was required to include at least one currently-enrolled FAU student who would have significant participation in the company.

Le Spa, a concept for a day spa and retail boutique, won the general business category. Created by Crystal and Frank Prescuitti, the company aims to enhance the well-being of guests and bring a sense of balance to their lives by offering a European atmosphere with old world charm. Mrs. Prescuitti is a student in the College of Business MBA Program and a winner of the Boyer Scholarship for Women in Entrepreneurial Studies.

Daniel Gudema and Shabnam Memarbashi, students in the College of Business, and Martin Skolnik, an instructor in the Information Technology and Operations Management Department in the College, created StrategicPoints LLC, the winner of the high-tech category. This online service provider offers a real-time web service called CogniPoints, which increases E-tailer conversion rates and customer satisfaction through a combination of web session analysis, cognitive archetyping and the delivery of LiveHelp, coupons, up-selling and cross-selling.

"Blending the financial support of the Stiles-Nicholson Foundation with the leadership of our business faculty provides a great learning experience for our students, while also laying the groundwork for new entrepreneurship in South Florida," said Dr. Bruce Mallen, dean of FAU's College of Business.

The Stiles-Nicholson Foundation's primary mission is "to enhance the nation's understanding and appreciation of the benefits of the free enterprise system via local and national educational initiatives."

For more information on the business plan competition, contact Bob Keltie, assistant director of the Adams Center, at 561-297-3177.

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