Startups

ZenKars: used car sales platform wins $30K Wharton Business Plan Competition

Founded by Venkat Jonnala and Jean-Mathieu (Jim) Chabas, ZenKars graduated from DreamIt Ventures' most recent Philly class.

Venkat Jonnala (right) and Jean-Mathieu Chabas, who cofounded DreamIt Ventures company Zenkars, said they'll stay in the region if they find investors here. (Photo by Alyssa Cwanger for Wharton Entrepreneurship)

ZenKars, a used car sales platform from two Wharton MBA candidates, won the $30,000 grand prize at the Wharton Business Plan Competition. It also won the $1,000 Committee’s Choice Award.

Founded by Venkat Jonnala and Jean-Mathieu (Jim) Chabas, ZenKars graduated from DreamIt Ventures‘ most recent Philly class. It aims to offer a “peaceful buying experience.”

After its cofounders graduate, ZenKars’ location will depend on where its investors are based, Chabas said in an email. The team is talking to investors in New York City, San Francisco and Philadelphia, he said. ZenKars has one (non-cofounder) Philadelphia employee.

Below, a full list of winners:

Perlman Grand Prize: $30,000 to ZenKars
Second Prize: $15,000 to MacuLens
Third Prize: $10,000 to Top Trender
Gloeckner Undergraduate Award: $10,000 for the highest ranking Wharton undergraduate team to AlphaX
People’s Choice Award: $3,000 to MacuLens
Committee Award (Social): $1,000 to Trust Circle
Committee Award (Disruptive): $1,000 to Top Trender
Committee Award (Committee’s Choice): $1,000 to ZenKars

Updated 5/8/13 12:05 p.m. to add more details about ZenKars' plans after graduation.
Companies: DreamIt Ventures / Wharton School
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