UNLV Students Take Governors Cup With Clean Energy Plan

Students from University of Nevada, Las Vegas took first place last Friday in the state's Donald W. Reynolds Governor's Cup collegiate business plan competition. The team presented Waste Alternatives Transformation Technologies (WATT), which will aim to produce clean energy and energy products from municipal, commercial and industrial wastes. Their business model would also help reduce landfill needs in local municipalities.

The team, comprised of college students Keeton Little, Josh Beilin and Kyle George, took home a $20,000 prize to help launch their new business. Moving forward, they plan to pitch their idea to small municipalities in the area to bring their concept to market. Previously, they won the Nevada Commission on Economic Development Commissioner's Award, worth $2,500; the combined prizes should provide them with enough seed money and publicity to get underway.

In May, WATT will be back at it, competing in the Tri-State Donald W. Reynolds Cup business plan competition. Undergraduate and graduate winners from Arkansas and Oklahoma will join Nevada's winners to compete for $90,000 in cash prizes.