Want to know how to give an elevator pitch? Watch the video above to see why Hygia Sanitation’s 60-second pitch was named the best of the 42 given at last week’s Rice Business Plan Competition. Here’s how it begins: “Hi. Did you take a crap today? Yes? Yes? … But wait, do you know where does your crap go? Globally, 90% of the crap goes down without any treatment. And do you know what happens? It kills 2,000 children every single day. So, with the help of the Bill Gates Foundation, we, Hygia Sanitation, developed proprietary technology which eliminates 99% of the pathogens at the lowest cost. There’s a more than $50 billion market …”
Bubblewatch
7-Eleven is getting into venture capital: “General Mills GIS -0.78%, based in Minneapolis, is part of an increasing number of old-economy companies, including the convenience chain 7-Eleven and the Campbell Soup CPB -0.55% Company, that have joined a crowd of technology companies to create venture capital funds. Through them, they scout for new products or services and promising potential business partners. Their moves have accompanied a surge and recent crest in the valuations of many venture capital-backed start-ups. Critics say the corporate-run funds have contributed to inflated valuations for start-ups, and some funds have begun selling stakes even as they face reduced valuations on some holdings.”
Turnarounds
Two brothers are trying to bring back the Roy Rogers hamburger chain: “Jim is certainly mindful of the demons stalking the fast-food industry: sugar, obesity and cholesterol. He said a salad, roast beef sandwich and bottle of water keeps the calorie count under 500. … He said the brand’s differentiator is real roast beef and a personal touch that includes a roving hostess (who keeps the trademark Fixin’s Bar fresh). ‘We are somewhere between typical fast-food and fast-casual, like Panera, Chipotle and Bobby Flay’s Burger Palace.’”
Social Media
Here’s how a millennial with no business experience and no college education created a streetwear brand for the masses: “On YouTube we only have 55,000 followers. But we’ve noticed that if we have content that has real meaning, people are more likely to click and go look at the actual product, as opposed to saying, hey look how cool this photo is. People are being sold to online 24/7 now. If you get across your brand message and make people feel inspired or motivated, then they’ll go and buy your product.”