FORMER STUDENT PLACES 1ST & WINS $30,000 AT COSE COMPETITION

Former MBA student, Than Thein, won first place at the annual COSE Business Plan Competition that was held in Cleveland, Ohio. Thein won $30,000 in prize money for his plan entitled Tidal Gardens, which is an actual enterprise that he started while in school. In 2004, Thein also came in second place at the University of Akron’s 3 rd Annual Business Plan Competition.

Mr. Thein received an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, an MBA from the University of Akron, and is currently working on his law degree from the University of Akron.

Many people assisted Thein in the development of his plan including the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and UA’s entrepreneurship and MIS programs. What has differentiated Than’s ability to success is his combination of theoretical and practical knowledge.

COSE, is the small business division of the Greater Cleveland Partnership - one of the nation’s largest metropolitan chambers of commerce and serves as a one-stop resource for nearly 16,700 member companies.