Empowering entrepreneurs: Student Chamber of Commerce awards first grant

May 11, 2015

When the Student Chamber of Commerce opened its doors to businesses in 2012, the organization provided a chance for local businesses to connect with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus community.

Today, SCOC is giving students the resources to take their business ideas and turn them into a reality.

This semester, SCOC awarded its first $500 student business grant to Christopher Gifford, a junior computer science major from Hartland, Wisconsin, and Tyler Wuenstel, a junior computer science major from Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.

Their business, Chapter Companion, is a website and soon-to-be-mobile application that allows members of Greek organizations to keep track of their required library hours.

Members of Greek organizations study in the library for a specific number of hours each semester, based on their minimum standards. Currently, these hours are recorded in binders in Anderson Library, which Chapter Companion aims to streamline.

"Chapter Companion is a customizable platform that can be tailored to any fraternity or sorority," said William Erby, finance and entrepreneurship director for the Whitewater Student Government. "In the future, I believe this business can grow past Greek organizations and help any student organization on campus."

The application recently added a listserv section including every member's basic information, a section to post meeting minutes and a section to organize trips.

In order to be considered for this grant, Chapter Companion applied and presented its business plan before SCOC.

SCOC selected Chapter Companion because it met the requirements and demonstrated a productive use for the grant money, Erby noted.

"The summation of these semester dues from local businesses, along with some other one-time financial support from organizations on campus has finally gotten us to a point where we can start giving back to students," said Erby.

The grant funds are acquired from recruiting local businesses to join SCOC. The businesses then receive campus advertising benefits and discounted prices to attend SCOC events, like the annual housing fair and Taste of Whitewater.

Even if businesses are not eligible for grant money, SCOC still tries to help, according to Erby.

"We are here to help students," said Erby. "Hopefully by supporting these student-run businesses, we can help them grow and create more business in Whitewater and the surrounding areas."