The SUNY Broome Entrepreneurship Assistance Center (EAC) is delighted to unveil the winners of its Fall Certificate Program Cohort’s Business Pitch Competition. Participants showcased a diverse range of businesses spanning technology and artistic venues, and each exhibited excellence.
The EAC Business Pitch Competition is crafted to honor the achievements of startups and entrepreneurs who successfully complete the comprehensive 60-Hour Certificate Program. This program serves as the bedrock for nurturing small businesses into flourishing success stories.
The winners of the Fall 2023 Business Pitch Competition are:
1. First Place – Positive Vibes: Jennifer Nickels; $500
2. Second Place – Native Woods: Elizabeth Brando; $300
3. Third Place – Take Adventures Everyday: Thomas Baudendistel; $200
Honorable Mentions – $100
ViaTec: Logan Everson, Andrew Gaynor, Joshua Stewart
Zion Quest: Marfry Hernandez
Strands to Stiches: Sandra E. Goodman
We welcomed judges from the Small Business Development Center, Anna Hancock and Jean Carolus; along with independent business owners, Ravindra Walsh of HeartPath Institute and Mercedes Redmoon of Red Metal Jewelry.
The judges carefully evaluated each pitch based on criteria that included innovation, market potential, and feasibility. The competition reflected vibrant entrepreneurial spirit in our local and state-wide business community as participants joined us from Broome, Tioga, Cortland, and Queens Counties.
The EAC extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and gratitude to every participant who contributed to the success of our 60-Hour program in general.
The EAC would also like to share a special recognition to our SUNY Broome President, Dr. Tony Hawkins, who shared words of inspiration and personally congratulated our participants during our closing ceremony. We would also like to extend deep gratitude to our instructor and sponsor, Gladys Brangman, CEO of Business Leaders of Colors, whose dedication, and mentoring resulted in excellent attendance and participation of all our cohort. Classes had the honor of special presentations from our community business leaders: Sal Julian, The Accounting Firm of S.J. Julian & Co.; Rick Bongiorno, Rick Bongiorno Insurance; Heather Staley, HR Staley Agency Insurance; and Christina Graziadei, Esq., Hinman, Howard & Kattell.
Further gratitude goes to our sponsors who made our prizes possible: Koffman Southern Tier Incubator/New Energy NY (NENY); Visions Federal Credit Union, Construction Managements Association, LLC, Morello & Associates, Elizabeth Rivera NYS Licensed Realtor, Business Leaders of Colors and the unwavering support of BLDC, SBA and SBDC.
About SUNY Broome Entrepreneurship Assistance Center
SUNY Broome is one of 24 Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers in the State of New York offering one-on-one small business assistance, essential business management educational sessions, and business networking opportunities, local community connections, business model and business start-up plan development programs – including the Entrepreneurial Assistance Center 60-Hour Program, and individual consulting and coaching by successful entrepreneurs and well-established business owners, experts and consultants.
If you are interested in participating or sponsoring our Spring 2024 program, please contact our office by email at eac@sunybroome.edu and be sure to follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn for our latest news and resources.
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