On behalf of the School of Science, it is with great pleasure that we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Team Golden Connections for their first-place win at the thirteenth annual Mayo Business Plan Competition Finals, held on March 27, 2024.
The Mayo Business Plan Competition, established and generously funded by Professor Herbert B. Mayo, offers a real-world opportunity where students are encouraged to grapple with the complexities of crafting a viable, original business plan. Unlike traditional academic endeavors, the Mayo Business Plan Competition operates outside the confines of a classroom, placing the responsibilities squarely on participating students to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape autonomously with their teammates. Throughout this process, the teams are encouraged to conduct rigorous market research, seek out mentors and resources, and refine their strategies through iterative rounds of feedback and refinement.
In the spotlight of the 2024 competition stood the winning team, Golden Connections, comprised of Lauren Cunningham, a senior Marketing major, Emma Route, a junior majoring in Chemistry, and Sangam Shivaprasad, a senior Biology major. Their winning venture, Golden Connections, is an AI-powered platform designed to address the unique needs of aging populations, and the families/caregivers entrusted with their in-home care.
Their journey to victory in the Mayo Business Plan Competition was marked not only by innovation, but also by a profound sense of purpose – a purpose rooted in their personal, familial experiences and driven by their collective vision.
Commenting on the impactful personal touch of Golden Connection’s ambitious plan, Dean of TCNJ’s School of Business, Ms. Tammy Dieterich noted, “I think Golden Connections did a fantastic job in coming up with a thoughtful business plan and seeking lots of input. You can see that their group’s inspiration arose from a family concern, so they were able to connect with many other people in this caregiving ‘sandwich’ generation who are also dealing with these sorts of concerns now.”
Sangam Sivaprasad, a Senior Biology Major on the pre-med track and CIO of Golden Connections expanded on the group’s inspiration for their idea, “We saw the struggles our parents have with caring for their parents who live further away and seeing the struggles they faced, we wanted to create a platform where they could have more accessibility to resources that they can use to care for their aging parents and allow those parents to age in place and not have to go to a senior care facility.”
Their vision was not merely to create another healthcare app, but rather to provide an alternative solution for caregivers that eases the burdens of responsibility and effectively fosters peace of mind. Emma Route, Junior Chemistry Major, articulates this sentiment: “We want to be one less thing to do. So Instead of the caregivers spending all their time throughout the day stressing over whether or not their loved one has an appointment, or if their loved one needs to fast for a screening, the caregivers can just go through the app to see everything organized in the calendar.”
Lauren Cunningham, Senior Marketing Major, encapsulates the mission of Golden Connections, expressing, “Our mission is to provide caregivers with time, support, and peace of mind.”
The team’s journey from ideation to planning for practical execution is indeed, a lengthy and in-depth process, and one that requires additional input, guidance, and mentorship from individuals like Professor Karen Becker, whom the group consulted.
Emma Route reflects on the pivotal role that mentorship played in their journey, “Dr. Becker has been an incredible mentor. I’ve learned so much about marketing and finance through our experience working on this project.”
Sangam further emphasizes the significance of mentorship, stating, “It just goes to show how important mentorship is in this whole competition. Dr. Becker really did put us in touch with a lot of different people, but she pushed us to set up these meetings ourselves. We were a bit nervous at first, but she really did broaden our horizons and prepared us well.”
In addition to seeking impactful mentorship opportunities, the group’s interdisciplinary dynamic also allowed each member to bring a unique perspective and skill set to the table, allowing for a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to tackling the challenges of their venture.
Commenting on the value of working with a group with interdisciplinary academic backgrounds, Sangam reflected, “Taking into account each of our different skill sets in biology, chemistry, and marketing allowed us to incorporate our unique experiences into this project in a meaningful way. Being able to speak to different aspects of the platform has really been a beneficial aspect of working together in this group.”
Also reflecting on the value of working within an interdisciplinary team, Dean Dieterich noted that “The interdisciplinary element of the competition is one of the most important and exciting byproducts of the opportunity. Seeing the cross-campus collaboration and support that students show each other from organizations of all types is definitely a meaningful aspect of this competition.”
The Mayo Business Plan Competition not only provides a platform for professional growth and entrepreneurial ventures but also serves as a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth.
Lauren attests to the transformative power of the competition: “Participating in the Mayo Business Plan Competition has definitely prepared me for what I’m interested in terms of a job search. I feel like I have more of an interest in health than I did originally, and that is really because of all that I have been able to learn through the connections I’ve made throughout this process.”
Reflecting on their journey through the Mayo Business Plan Competition, Team Golden Connections expressed profound gratitude and a sense of accomplishment. Lauren Cunningham shared, “I truly feel like I have accomplished what I wanted to through my college career through this competition, and taking advantage of this amazing opportunity throughout my senior year was just overall an incredible experience.”
Their victory was the culmination of relentless dedication and hard work, as Sangam Shivaprasad described, “I won’t put it lightly, it was countless hours of meetings, drafting documents, and creating presentations and videos. It was definitely a large time commitment, but it was truly so rewarding and felt so surreal to be called up onstage as this year’s winner of the Mayo Business Competition.”
Emma Route emphasized the team’s unwavering determination as a key factor in their success, stating, “I think the determination that our team had is really what brought us to first place. Just being fully immersed in the idea and continuing to learn and connect with individuals to gain further insight is what each of us continued to do throughout the entire process.” Their journey exemplifies the transformative power of collaboration, perseverance, and a shared vision, echoing the spirit of innovation that defines the Mayo Business Plan Competition.
As the group proudly looks towards the future, they remind us that Golden Connections is not just a business venture; it is a testament to the power of empathy, innovation, and collaboration. As they embark on the next phase of their journeys at TCNJ and beyond, they carry with them the torch of change, providing caregivers and their loved ones with an alternative route to seeking the proper care they deserve. In the realm of entrepreneurship, where ideas shape the future, Golden Connections stands as a shining example of the profound impact that purpose-driven innovation can have on society.
Written by School of Science Student Journalist, Jax DiEugenio