ANN ARBOR ? Fifteen entrepreneurs will split $45,000 in the Dare To Dream Grant Program, aimed at University of Michigan Business school students with a great idea that needs funding.

The program is run by the Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. In the program’s two-year history, 17 of its 19 grant recipients have continued to develop their business concept or have launched companies, an 890 batting average.

This year the Dare to Dream program has expanded to award students in two phases of business development: Business Concept Assessment and Business Integration. Awards of $1,000 are given to those entering the Concept Assessment category, with awards of up to $10,000 given to those entering the Integration category. The grant recipients are given a roadmap of deliverables to meet over a six-month period, such as feasibility studies for businesses in the Concept phase; and business plans and investor presentations for those in the Integration phase.

“Developing applied entrepreneurial leadership in our students and supporting the formation of innovative, high-potential businesses, is the foundation of the Zell Lurie Institute,” said Timothy Faley, Ph.D., managing director of University of Michigan’s Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies.

Business Concept Assessment Grant Recipients ($1,000 / concept) – Fall 2004

Coffeeshop.com – a virtual “coffee shop” community, with social networking, news, exhibits from local artists & musicians, and downloadable e-books and magazines.

Fibonacci’s Healthy Fast Food – healthy fast food restaurant catering to athletes, dieters, vegetarians/vegans, and other health-conscious Americans.

FindIt – a handheld GPS navigation system.

Green Dot – Business-to-business distributor of biodegradable tableware and packaging for restaurants.

HR Insight – organizational chart analysis software.

Metro-Urban Real Development and Revitalization, LLC – facilitates investment into developing economically disadvantaged communities to spur revitalization.

No Fall Zone – retailers of unique masculine house-wares and furniture.

Streaming English – streaming daily English instructional content and reinforcing interactive games via broadband to families in Asia with pre- school-aged children.

Style High – retailer and distributor of personalized, branded high school merchandise.

Weekend Gourmet Cookware Rental – high-end cookware rental for urban “foodies” who enjoy cooking and entertaining, but lack storage or interest in purchasing high-end cookware.

Business Integration Grant Recipients (up to $10,000 / business) – Fall 2004

AD-Screens ($5,000) – markets, implements and manages digital signage systems for retailers.

DreamLight ($5,000) – a solar energy-based system to run basic electrical appliances in India’s rural and semi-urban population at affordable prices and financing terms.

Integrated Bio Mimetics ($10,000) – a technology that enables researchers and medical practitioners to easily and effectively analyze cells and tissues in vitro.

NextServices, Inc. ($10,000) – solutions provider for health care providers that improve administrative efficiencies and ensure compliance with regulatory mandates.

TunerMarket.com, LLC ($5,000) – an online shopping search model for the automotive enthusiasts’ aftermarket industry.

For more information on the Dare To Dream program, click on ZLI.Bus.UMich.Edu