by Susan Griffith

Two student businesses are up and running on the CWRU campus, with three more slated for start-up in the fall, thanks to the help of the new CWRU program Student Educational Entrepreneurial Development Center, or SEED.

SEED provides business planning guidance, start-up capital, space to operate and mentorship for CWRU students who wish to start small businesses that target the campus community.

SeedComputing, a computer consultant firm, is the first student business launched. The firm offers a wide range of services, including hardware and software upgrades as well as assistance in Internet setup. It is the brainchild of four sophomores-Ben Chodroff, computer engineering major; Greg Szorc, biomedical engineering; Justin Rich, computer science; and Anthony Diak, computer science.

While initially recognizing the need for accessible, user-friendly computer upgrades and service, the four students eventually intend to expand their business to include assembly of whole personal computer systems.

The second business, Campus Used Books, pays cash for books and resells them over the Internet. The mastermind behind this venture is junior David Kallevig, who started the business in response to frustrations experienced by his fellow students in their attempt to buy and sell used books.

The SEED businesses that are slated for launch in the fall of 2003 include Toasters, a health food café that serves soups, sandwiches, smoothies and specialty coffees; Food2U, an on-campus grocery and miscellaneous delivery service; and Demand DVD, an online DVD rental and delivery service for the CWRU campus community.

All SEED businesses undergo rigorous planning with the assistance of Weatherhead entrepreneurship faculty. The businesses are then reviewed for funding by the SEED board of trustees and board of advisers.

The board of trustees consists of CWRU faculty and staff who are committed to both entrepreneurship education and enhancing student life on campus. The board of advisers consists of prominent entrepreneurial business leaders in Cleveland who contribute both time and start-up money to the student businesses.

Return to the online edition of the 7-24-03 Campus News.

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