Bethany Lutheran College sophomore Zak Fick was recently chosen by the Greater Mankato Business Accelerator program as the 2012 winner of the Brian Fazio Business Creation Project, sponsored by Charter Business. Entrepreneurs applied for the competition this past spring, with finalists presenting their projects to an independent panel of judges from the business community in April.
Fick created an interactive website to match college students with area residents wanting short-term jobs done. As this year’s recipient, Zak receives $5,000 in seed funding from Charter Business to help jump-start his new endeavor.
“Charter Business supports the Brian Fazio Business Creation Project because it aligns well with Charter Business’ mission; providing broadband solutions so businesses can meet their goals,” said Joni Brengman, Director of Charter Business Sales in Minnesota. “All of us at Charter congratulate this year’s winner, Zak. We commend him on his entrepreneurship and wish him success in the future.”
The Brian Fazio Business Creation Project, named for community economic development advocate Brian Fazio, is a program of the Greater Mankato Business Accelerator, which connects start-up and growing businesses with the resources they need to succeed. Brian Fazio led area economic development efforts as the executive director of Greater Mankato Economic Development Corporation from 1998 until his unexpected passing in 2003. The Greater Mankato Business Accelerator is a program of the City of Mankato, Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. and REDA (Regional Economic Development Alliance).