HCC's Center for Entrepreneurial and Business Excellence Spring 2024 Celebration
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The Center for Entrepreneurial and Business Excellence (CEBE) hosted the "Rocket Pitch" Entrepreneurial Celebration on May 1, 2024, in Monteabaro Hall. Eight students shared marketing pitches in hopes of receiving scholarship awards. Students who pitched were enrolled in HUMN-115, Entrepreneurship and Creativity in the fall and spring semesters. This event is sponsored by Columbia Patuxent Rotary Club.
During the event, the students presented their business ideas to a panel of entrepreneurial professionals. Helen Rose, master adjunct professor and coordinator of the entrepreneurship program: “These students started off the semester with examining their communities, looking at our society, and finding problems that needed to be solved. They researched themselves — their passions and their strengths and abilities, discovering how and what they wanted to do to improve our society."
Scores are based on presentation, content, and time. The Rotary Rocket Pitch Prize is presented to the top four scorers, with an award of $1,800 for first place, $1,400 for second place, $1,000 for third place and $800 for fourth place. The CEBE awarded a cash prize of $400 to the People’s Choice, chosen by the audience.
First place to Tayyaba Sheikh for her business, The Emotional Strength Studio, offering a safe space for exercise to promote mental and physical health.
Second place to Ibrahim Hasan for his business, Glass Graft, offering easy-to-use and economical DIY screen repair kits.
Third place and the People's Choice Award to Serra Tak for her business, The School of Polyglots, offering safe and economical childcare tailored to meet the diverse needs of working parents.
Fourth place to Eric Mejia for his business, High-Res, an innovative PC arcade and cannabis dispensary.
The Betty Noble Award was created by the Howard Community College Educational Foundation, Inc. in honor of Betty’s contribution to and passion for the Entrepreneurial Program and its students. This award is bestowed upon students who most embody Betty’s attributes and characteristics. The Betty Noble Award winner was Audrey Burlingame.
Rotary Rocket Pitch judges are selected for their proven business and entrepreneurial experience, and the CEBE gratefully acknowledges the volunteer services and contributions of the following judges to the 2024 Entrepreneurial Celebration:
Kelvin Abrams, founder of Tiki’s Playhouse;
Susanne Caviness, Ph.D., MSN, mental health nurse counselor in private practice;
Ivy Gales, senior business development representative with the Maryland Department of Commerce;
Will Krupka, founder of Safe Drum Handling Company;
Charlie D. McCabe, president and CEO of McCabe Insurance Associates Inc.;
Linda Ostovitz, legal operations chair of Offit Kurman and president of America Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Maryland Chapter;
Robin Thomas, executive director at J.P. Morgan Bank.
The Center for Entrepreneurial and Business Excellence (CEBE) helps aspiring and existing business owners and students develop themselves and their businesses by utilizing the center’s programs, services, and resources.
Please click below to watch the full 2024 Rocket Pitch Entrepreneurial Celebration.