Center Alum Rocks Case Competition


Sofiavella provides sexy sleepwear for boomer women

Santa Clara, CA, June 5, 2006 – A recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Business has reached the semifinals of the third annual Boomer Business Plan Competition in Santa Clara, California.
Kristin Kent, who completed her MBA degree in brand management in May 2006, reached the semifinals with her business plan for Sofiavella, a planning-stage brand that aims to design stylish sleepwear for women in their 40s and up – and to help them embrace the passionate side of their life.

The Silicon Valley Boomer Business Plan Competition has attracted entrepreneurs, early-stage companies and college students from around the globe who are developing products and services aimed at consumers age 45 and up -- one of the world's fastest growing markets. In the United States alone, there are 78 million baby boomers, with more than $2.5 trillion in spending power.

The first wave of baby boomers began turning 60 in January, and the number of Americans age 65 and older is set to double by the year 2030. Forward-thinking companies that tap into the burgeoning boomer and senior markets, providing services that meet their needs and interests, are poised for significant growth.

Kent, age 29, says she got the idea for Sofiavella from her mother, Lynn, who lives in northern Wisconsin.

“My mom told me ‘there’s no lingerie out there for me,’,” Kent said. “As the boomers move into their 40s, 50s and 60s, there’s going to be a lot of women who still have a lot of passion for life and who want sleepwear that reflects their style.”

This year’s Boomer Business Plan Competition, co-produced by Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business and Mary Furlong & Associates, drew 75 business plans from five countries. The competition was open to concept-stage ventures as well as businesses with up to $1 million in annual revenue.

The business plan submitted by Kent is one of 18 semifinalists. All of the competition’s semifinalists will have their plans reviewed by top Silicon Valley venture capitalists and boomer market experts. Five finalists will be selected to present their plans to a panel of judges at the 2006 Silicon Valley Boomer Venture Summit on June 20, 2006 at Santa Clara University, where a $10,000 grand prize winner will be chosen. For information, please visit www.boomerventuresummit.com.

The Silicon Valley Boomer Venture Summit’s sponsors include North Castle Partners, AARP Services, Inc., Intel Capital, MetLife Mature Market Institute, Silicon Valley Bank, Wells Fargo, Facebook and NBC.

For more information about the third annual Boomer Business Plan Competition, and about previous winners and contestants, please visit www.boomerventuresummit.com/competition and http://maryfurlong.com/index.php/articles/docs/411.

About the competition’s co-producers:
Founded in 1926, the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University was one of the first business schools in the country to receive national accreditation. Its undergraduate business program is recognized as one of the best in California, and its MBA program is ranked 10th in the nation among part-time graduate programs for working professionals.

Mary Furlong & Associates provides business development, financing strategy and integrated marketing solutions to entrepreneurs, corporations and nonprofit organizations serving the 45+ market. Mary Furlong, Ed.D also serves as an executive professor on entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University. See www.MaryFurlong.com for more information.

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Press Contacts:
SofiavellaKristin KentPh: 715-546-2131 until June 14th, 262-745-3758 after June 14thEmail: kristin@sofiavella.comWebsite: www.sofiavella.com

Mary Furlong & Associates
Mary Furlong, Ed.D. or Marty Silberstein
Ph: 510-530-5802
Email: inquiries@boomerventuresummit.com
Website: www.boomerventuresummit.com