University students know all about moving: moving away from home and into residence, from residence to off-campus housing, back home for summers. So when law student Michael Shurter created a business, its focus was on moving.
Shurter’s business plan for GetMovers, an online database geared to lead generation and sales for moving companies, won first place in the annual Nicol Entrepreneurial Awards competition at Carleton in March. Shurter, with the other two finalists, had 15 minutes to pitch his business to a panel of industry judges and respond to their questions.
Shurter’s online business provides a simple way for individuals to specify their moving requirements and then sells these leads to pre-screened moving companies. The service saves customers from the time-consuming chore of finding a suitable and reputable moving company at no cost to them.
The $5,000 prize provides Shurter with start-up money to turn his idea into reality. The competition was founded by Ottawa lawyer and entrepreneur Wes Nicol, BA/54, at the Sprott School of Business to promote entrepreneurship to Carleton students. Today, 15 Canadian universities hold local competitions that culminate in the top entrepreneurs competing for the national prize.