Four dual-master's degree students representing the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE) and Ross School of Business - and one student from New York University's Wagner School of Public Service - won Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.'s first Better Living Business Plan Challenge.

Wal-Mart developed the competition to provide business students from around the world an opportunity to invent sustainable products or business solutions. Eight student teams presented their business plans to a panel of executives from Wal-Mart and other leading companies, and non-governmental organizations last Friday (April 18).

The winning team of Jeff LeBrun, Tony Gross, Mike Hartley, Amir Satvat and Ali Moazed were awarded $20,000 for developing a biodiesel company that will produce a nonfood-based renewable fuel while supporting sustainable development in Africa.

In February, the same team won $10,000 for an earlier version of the proposal as part of the Inaugural Africa MBA Business Plan Competition. The competition was designed to generate business ideas for investment in Africa. (Read story)

The team received significant support from a coalition of U-M's leading-edge institutes, including the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise, which sponsors the students' dual-degrees; the Zell /Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies; the Center for Sustainable Systems (part of SNRE), and the William Davidson Institute.

The company, Mozergy, will develop and propagate jatropha crops in Mozambique and other developing countries. Jatropha is a sustainable, low-cost, high-yield plant that produces oil-rich seeds that can be extracted and refined to produce biodiesel. Because jatropha is not edible and can grow on marginal land, it is not expected to impact food production.

"All of the students did a fantastic job developing their ideas and presenting them to a distinguished panel of judges," said Kim Saylors-Laster, vice president of Energy for Wal-Mart, in a statement. "The judges selected the University of Michigan submission because it addresses the growing need for renewable fuel sources and the social mission of economic development, in a way that is both profitable and sustainable. We hope this concept and the other great ideas presented will help build the businesses of tomorrow while protecting our natural and energy resources."

"We're thrilled to seize the opportunity Wal-Mart has given us to provide a low-cost renewable energy source, create jobs in a developing country and be profitable," LeBrun said. "Mozergy is a way to make globalization work for sustainability and expand the portfolio of energy options at the same time. Ideally this product and others like it can drive a transition toward low-carbon energy solutions that are both profitable and beneficial."

"It's been a surreal experience to start with an idea more than a year and a half ago, take it to Mozambique and now build it into something with great potential," LeBrun added. "We will use our winnings to help fund our return to Mozambique this summer to work with experts in Jatropha cultivation and agriculture in Mozambique to improve yields and determine the best crop varieties for our location."

After narrowing the finalists down to the University of Michigan and Stanford University, Mozergy was selected the winner. The other innovative ideas presented during the Better Living Business Plan Competition included:

* Arizona State University: Green Taxi Cab, a nationwide fleet of owner-operated hybrid taxis with centralized dispatch services;

* University of Arkansas: AMP+, an ultracapacitor that increases battery life for cellular phones and other battery-powered devices;

* Babson College: Generate Change, an automated change collection business that generates funds for community organizations and projects;

* Imperial College (London): My S*Mart, an online shopping site that helps members learn the environmental features of products before purchasing them;

* Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: geoFridge, which integrates geothermal technology into commercial refrigeration systems;

* Stanford University: Energy Empowered, a company that develops sustainable products for consumers including Green Switch, a power strip that saves standby power while providing feedback on the amount of energy saved; and

* Stillman College: Solar Systems' Inc., a solar installation for the city of Knoxville, Tenn.

Read the Wal-Mart press release:
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/04-21-2008/0004796935&EDATE=

About the School of Natural Resources and Environment:
The School of Natural Resources and Environment's overarching objective is to contribute to the protection of the earth's resources and the achievement of a sustainable society. Through research, teaching, and outreach, faculty, staff, and students are devoted to generating knowledge and developing policies, techniques and skills to help practitioners manage and conserve natural and environmental resources to meet the full range of human needs on a sustainable basis.

About the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise:
The Erb Institute at the University of Michigan fosters global sustainable enterprise through interdisciplinary research and education initiatives, including our acclaimed MBA/MS Program. Utilizing a collaborative approach, we help business, government andcivil society organizations to achieve meaningful progress toward sustainability.