April 2017 | Dallas, TX – RealFoundations was honored to participate in the 6th Annual New Venture Competition at Baylor University in Waco, TX, hosted by Baylor University’s John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship in the Hankamer School of Business. On February 24th and 25th, twelve finalist teams met on campus and showcased their businesses to various industry professionals as well as Baylor professors, competing for both professional guidance, entrepreneurial coaching, and cash rewards to invest in their business models.
This year, RF’s Executive Managing Director and founder, David Stanford, along with Director Lauren Stokes – both Baylor alumni – were invited to participate in the competition, interact with the students and select a team to receive the first-ever RealFoundations Award – a financial donation towards the winning team’s new venture. The RealFoundations Award recipient was selected based on criteria including environmental impact, business process as a service, and operating platform sophistication.
Acion, LLC, a startup from the University of Louisville, was the first-ever RealFoundations Award winner. “We believe that Acion is targeting a long overlooked operating problem with a unique solution that has the potential to lower both operating costs and loss claims in the residential housing space”, says Mr. Stanford. “We were attracted to their singular focus and market opportunity.”
RealFoundations sponsorship in the New Venture competition also includes the contribution of a significant number of in-kind professional service hours, focused on providing professional guidance to the recipient. Acion received this award as well. “We were very surprised and honored to receive the RealFoundations Award at the Baylor New Venture Competition”, states Chad Keinanen, CEO of Acion, LLC. “We are using the cash award for product development, but are even more excited for the opportunity to work with RealFoundations as we introduce our portfolio of products to residential and commercial properties.”
RealFoundations will again participate as a competition sponsor in the upcoming 2018 and 2019 New Venture Competitions. To learn more, visit the Hankamer School of Business.
Connect with Us
To learn more about RealFoundations, contact us by email or +1 214 292 7000.
About Acion
Acion, LLC protects residential and commercial properties from water damage due to clogged air-conditioning drain lines through a patent-protected device that connects to and automatically delivers an environmentally-friendly biocide treatment into, an air conditioner’s (HVAC) drain line to kill algae before it clogs the line.
About Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business
Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business provides a rigorous academic experience, consisting of classroom and hands-on learning, guided by Christian commitment and a global perspective. Recognized nationally for several programs, including Entrepreneurship and Accounting, the school offers 24 undergraduate and 13 graduate areas of study, as well as Ph.D. programs in Information Systems, Entrepreneurship and Health Services Research.
About RealFoundations
RealFoundations (RF) is the world’s foremost professional services firm focused solely on the real estate industry. Through our delivery of Management Consulting and Managed Services, we help companies that develop, own, operate, service or invest in real estate make better, more profitable decisions. We are proud partners to over 500 real estate companies around the globe, providing accelerated solutions that solve some of real estate’s most complex challenges. We Make Real Estate Run Better.
