Benjamin Pfeifer wins top spot in University of Dayton Flyer Pitch competition

2017 Nov 7

Benjamin Pfeifer of Sylvania, OH, tied for first place in the first round of the University of Dayton's Flyer Pitch, one of the largest business plan competitions at the collegiate level.

Flyer Pitch awards $100,000 in cash prizes and $150,000 of in-kind support during six rounds in three cities.

Pfeifer's Park-N-Plug, which also won the $2,500 sustainability/green technology idea prize, connects drivers of electric cars with solar-powered charging stations through a shared services app.

Pfeifer will advance to the next round for U.S.- based teams Nov. 18 in Dayton.

"This was a very competitive round as students from all over campus and every academic unit pitched their ideas," said Vincent Lewis, director of the L. William Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. "We expect more than 200 teams to participate in Dayton, China and Vietnam this year. We look forward to supporting these budding businesses and building on the competition's track record of success."

The final round is set for March 24 in Dayton. The grand prize winner will receive $25,000 cash and $25,000 in support from Dayton's Entrepreneur's Center.

The competition, now in its 11th year, has helped launch 30 new ventures, which have raised more than $15 million in capital.