Hard as Nails

I'm not a big fan of cosmetics, but this new technology might be a good reason for many women to take up nail polishing: NAILS

Putting a new face on disruption

Harvard Business Student, Grace Choi, has the idea to bring the cosmetics industry into the home. Imagine 3D printing and cosmetics on demand, in the bedrooms of 13-20 year old girls all over the world. Presenting her business idea to Tech Crunch, this entrepreneur has it all figured out...maybe. Take a look at her audacious presentation. Photo from Little Plate of Crazy

Still looking for internships?!

Intern Match might be the site for you. Or how about taking a year off!? Take a look at Gap Year and travel your way through learning experiences. Would you like to live with families or individuals for a few days here and there around the world and work a few hours a day in exchange for your room and board? Try Workaway!

Want to make that pitch a little different?

Microsoft's Power Point is well into adulthood and some would say, stodgy. And while it may be true that most users seldom use the full capacity of the Office products, there's nothing like the allure of a new shiny package. Maybe you've tried Prezi? Or Powtoon? But have you tested a few others? How about Haiku Deck, Sparkol, emaze, or even RawShorts or Slid.es! Check them all out!

Texas State University Enactus/SIFE Team Wins 2014 National Championships

The Texas State University Enactus team will advance to the 2014 World Cup in China this fall. 1st Runner-Up: Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, NY 2nd Runner-Up: Heritage University, Toppenish, WA 3rd Runner-Up: Belmont University, Nashville, TN Texas State University – San Marcos will join other national champions from across 36 countries for the 2014 Enactus World Cup in Beijing, China on October 22-24, 2014. Read the PR Newswire release. See the video of the Texas State University Enactus team!

No slumdog millionaire here!

BetaGlide, a team from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagur, India, came to the Rice Business Plan Competition last week-end with its mobile app development tool and was awarded a $1 million prize from the Houston-based Mercury Fund. The Mercury prize, originally set at $100,000, became $1 million as investors upped the ante for this promising product.

Texas State University's SioTex Corp., a new start-up just 3 months old, received the $125,000 Texas Halo Fund prize. SioTeX has developed a "greener" silica additive derived from rice hulls for use in paints and polymers. Read more about the winners at this year's RBPC in the Houston Chronicle.

SioTeX Heads to "Rice" competition!

On April 9, 2014 Texas State University based start-up, SioTeX will be presenting at this year's Rice University Business Plan Competition! SioTeX, a specialty chemical and performance materials manufacturer, has developed a drop-in replacement for fumed silica called Eco-Sil. The production cost of Eco-Sil is 70% lower than that of conventional fumed silica. - See more at I Start!

10 million USD investment, 2 women, and safe cycling

Hövding by Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin of Sweden is a company that stands for safety combined with comfort and even fashion aesthetics. Their "invisible" bike helmet has been under development for several long years and is now making headlines around the world. Last fall NPR (National Public Radio) covered their story. And GE's Focus Forward has filmed the story of these two inventors:

RICE Business Plan Competition

"Get in it to Win It! On April 10-12, 2014, 42 top university teams from around the world will compete in front of over 250 judges for more than $1 million in prizes. On April 12, 2014, we will crown the 2014 World Champion of the Rice Business Plan Competition, the richest and largest intercollegiate student startup competition in the world.

Deadline to apply is Friday, February 21, 2014 at Midnight CST.

The Rice Business Plan Competition is open to all currently enrolled university students from around the world who are seeking funding for their new venture. Simply submit your startup company's executive summary to apply. Forty-two finalist teams will be invited to compete in person at Rice University in Houston, Texas on April 10-12, 2014. Apply Today!!"

Core 77 Design Competition

Design competitions are also opportunities for entrepreneurs. A winning design can lead to a winning company. The deadline for entries is March 20, 2014 and the fee for student entries is $50.00. The earlybird deadline (save 10 dollars) for this year's CORE 77 Competition is 30 January 2014. Enter with a designer, or follow the competition and partner with the winners!

3-D Printing-Scaled-UP

University of Southern California (USC) professor, Behrokh Khoshnevis, has developed "contour crafting" and has taken 3D printing to whole new levels. PSFK.com says that Khoshnevis' system, developed by his students as well, can build a house in 24 hours! Take a look at the article.