2008 Woodie Awards
Student Venture Fund invests $15K in Miami alumnus' business plan
Emily Wilson
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Campus
The Miami University Student Venture Fund (MUSVF) has invested in its second project-and students might come to benefit from the business decision.
The MUSVF recently invested $15,000 in College Discount Cards, a company created by Miami Univeristy alumnus Bruce Twersky.
Twesrky created College Discount Cards when he was a sophomore studying finance in 1999. He said that since its creation, the company has expanded to universities across the nation including the University of Arizona, the University of Southern Florida and even the University of Hawaii.
College Discount Cards allow businesses in college towns across the country to purchase ad space on a card that students and community members can use on purchases throughout the year.
Twersky approached the managers of the MUSVF in October 2007 in hopes of receiving finance money for his company. He said he hopes to expand College Discount Cards to 100 new campuses over the next three years. He also hopes to do more online marketing through Facebook.com and e-mail coupons.
Yet, money is not the only thing College Discount Cards received from the fund.
"Even more valuable than the capital they provide is their insights and suggestions," Twersky said.
The managers of the fund provide the growing companies with expansion opportunities, marketing strategies and advice to help the business prosper.
According to one of MUSVF's managers, senior Zack Tench, the fund reviews possible clients and only invests in those businesses that offer the most potential.
Tench and the other managers, seniors Scott Picklo and Wiley Curran, noticed the potential of Twersky's company.
"It's a win-win for the businesses, students and bookstore," Twersky said. "The students get discounts and the businesses get more traffic. It gives businesses an edge over their competitors."
Savings are available for many Oxford businesses including Cold Stone Creamery, Subway, Pizza Hut, Smokin' Ox and A Place to Tan.
The MUSVF recently invested $15,000 in College Discount Cards, a company created by Miami Univeristy alumnus Bruce Twersky.
Twesrky created College Discount Cards when he was a sophomore studying finance in 1999. He said that since its creation, the company has expanded to universities across the nation including the University of Arizona, the University of Southern Florida and even the University of Hawaii.
College Discount Cards allow businesses in college towns across the country to purchase ad space on a card that students and community members can use on purchases throughout the year.
Twersky approached the managers of the MUSVF in October 2007 in hopes of receiving finance money for his company. He said he hopes to expand College Discount Cards to 100 new campuses over the next three years. He also hopes to do more online marketing through Facebook.com and e-mail coupons.
Yet, money is not the only thing College Discount Cards received from the fund.
"Even more valuable than the capital they provide is their insights and suggestions," Twersky said.
The managers of the fund provide the growing companies with expansion opportunities, marketing strategies and advice to help the business prosper.
According to one of MUSVF's managers, senior Zack Tench, the fund reviews possible clients and only invests in those businesses that offer the most potential.
Tench and the other managers, seniors Scott Picklo and Wiley Curran, noticed the potential of Twersky's company.
"It's a win-win for the businesses, students and bookstore," Twersky said. "The students get discounts and the businesses get more traffic. It gives businesses an edge over their competitors."
Savings are available for many Oxford businesses including Cold Stone Creamery, Subway, Pizza Hut, Smokin' Ox and A Place to Tan.
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