Shippensburg University

Search
Search
News
Multimedia
Sports
Ship Life
Opinion
Subscribe
Entertainment
Send a Tip
Podcasts
Donate

Shippensburg University

°
Full Forecast

Monday, September 15, 2025

The Slate

Subscribe

Print Edition

  • News
  • Opinion
  • Ship Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Multimedia
  • Send a Tip
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Ship Life
  • Multimedia
  • Podcasts
  • Special Issues
  • Send a Tip
  • Donate
Search

Subscribe

 

4/16/2019, 12:00am

SU students place third at business competition

By Hannah Pollock
SU students place third at business competition
Photo courtesy of David Brantley
David Brantley (left) and Patrick Luebben were presented with a check after winning third place in this year’s Student Business Plan Competition.

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Mail
  • Print

A group of Shippensburg University marketing majors recently placed third in the eighth annual Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE)-sponsored Student Business Plan Competition. 

Seniors David Brantley, Patrick Luebben and junior Alec Stimson’s award-winning business plan was “Marqo,” which Brantley described as an app service loyalty program for small businesses to use to attract and retain customers. The incentives include cash prizes, and exclusive merchandise to encourage customer loyalty.

“We entered the competition for validity. To show that other people believe in our business,” Brantley said. “We wanted to see if we could get past the first round — and then the second round — and then we were in the finals.”

The team beat out more than 170 teams, earning third places and a $2,500 prize. Marqo also took third place in the Launchbox competition at Pennsylvania State University.

With the prize money, Brantley said his team will seek legal help to aid with filing paperwork, and then put the money into promoting the business. 

The business idea originally developed from Brantley brainstorming a way to reward out-of-town travelers for local shopping. 

“A lot of my friends are international students, and they don’t know about our local shops and restaurants,” Brantley explained. “They always know about McDonald’s and Starbucks, but not of the really great local places.”

As for the future of Marqo, Brantley said the team will work on the business remotely from across the world, as Luebben is from Germany and Stimson is from Australia. 

“We’re continuing to work on it every day and are in it for the long haul,” Brantley said.

According to Brantley, a handful of local Shippensburg businesses were willing to be partners and like the idea of the reward system.

“We’re excited for what the future holds,” he said.

The team also received help from freshman Josh Boothe, who helped with the technical development and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Brantley encouraged SU students to participate in next year’s competition. 

“Everyone has a business idea — enter the competition. You never know what may happen,” he said.

Share



Related Stories

Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk shot and killed at Utah event

By Matthew Scalia

Trucks transport tanks east from Valencia, Venezuela, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, after the government announced a military mobilization following the U.S. deployment of warships off Venezuela. (AP Photo/Jacinto Oliveros)

What to know about the US forces sent to South America and the reaction in Venezuela

Harbour_Quilt.jpg

Shippensburg University honors the life of Ms. Di

By Evan Dillow


The Slate welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic. Read our full guidelines here.


Most Popular


9/9/2025, 9:00am

Bieber continues to stand on business: 'SWAG II' Review

By Hayden Highlands

8/27/2025, 3:27pm

Shippensburg University honors the life of Ms. Di


8/26/2025, 8:00am

A Lift to remember: Levi Maciejewski honored


8/26/2025, 9:00am

What not to do during your first year of college



  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Work For Us
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Ship Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports

All Rights Reserved

© Copyright 2025 The Slate

Powered by Solutions by The State News.