Meet the Finalist! GW New Venture Competition Features Elliott Students

Several Elliott students made it to the final round, in the 2017 GW New Venture Competition, members of the 12 teams that emerged as top choices from 116 teams that entered. Founded in 2009 by John Rollins and the former dean of the GW School of Business, Susan Phillips, the GW New Venture Competition has become a GW tradition.  More than $300,000 in cash prizes were awarded in 2017, making it the largest collegiate entrepreneurship competition in the region and the fifth largest in the country. We recently spoke with Danya Sherman, ESIA '19, who was the founder of  KnoNap, a beverage napkin that alerts consumers to the contents of a beverage.*

What first gave you the idea for this product?

The issue of date rape drugs became important for me after I was affected while studying abroad. After speaking with close friends, I found I was not alone and it was only after looking into the national statistics that I realized it’s estimated that 1 out of every 13 college-aged students suspect having a drink laced with a date-rape drug. That is where I sought to find a means to empower individuals with education and a product that will work to signal in real time if a drink has been laced with a date-rape drug.

Are you an entrepreneur by nature?
 

I am blessed to have amazing parents who taught me that nothing is impossible with hard work, passion, and drive. It is because of their support that I have always considered myself to have had an entrepreneurial mind-frame: if I had a vision and  drive, I would be capable of accomplishing anything.

What advice would you give others who are interested in GW’s New Venture Competition?

I would tell anyone interested in GW’s NVC to enter it. Think of something that you are passionate about, explore how to make a business out of it, and enter the competition. Throughout my tenure in the competition, I grew so much as a person. The people I engaged with were absolutely amazing and it was a great experience to interact with likeminded individuals who were passionate about enacting change..

Do you intend to focus on social justice issues in your future career?

I have always been interested in social justice, particularly surrounding issues that primarily affect women’s health. After KnoNap, I plan to take my experience from running a business and work to create other social ventures.

Our website is: www.knonap.com