Student Semi-Finalists Announced for 'Pitch Across Maryland' Competition
September 17, 2012
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
A dozen University of Baltimore student entrepreneurs have been named semi-finalists for Startup Maryland's "Pitch Across Maryland" competition, which will culminate in a bus tour stop and rally at the UB campus on Thursday, Sept. 20. The students—selected from an initial group of just over 50—submitted their ideas for small businesses, which were judged by a panel of entrepreneurial experts from the UB faculty. These 12 developed a video-based pitch; the panel then narrowed the group to six finalists who will share their ideas and concepts for new businesses with several successful business leaders on the day of the rally, which celebrates entrepreneurship and brings focus to Maryland's diverse businesses and cultures. The event is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. in front of UB’s Merrick School of Business, 11 W. Mt. Royal Ave.
"These are students from all kinds of backgrounds, with an incredible range of things that they would like to do as a business, everything from developing new technology for removing snow from roads to a 'portal' model for crowdfunding concepts, to a new way to get more use out of women’s shoes," said Darlene Smith, dean of the Merrick School. "There is certainly no shortage of imagination or enthusiasm in this group. They really inspired us all with how much effort they put into their submissions. This is definitely a group that has the entrepreneurial spirit."
Of the six finalists, the top finisher will receive a $1,000 cash award.
The 12 semi-finalists and their ideas are:
Melanie Adams, "Love Letters," offering communicaiton opportunities between emergency preparedness first responders and the most vulnerable members of the community
Andrew Balio, "Future Symphony," a model for strengthening boards and management teams for symphony orchestras
Benjamin Bell, a specialty dessert shop
Kimberly Brownie, a neighborhood bakery specializing in gluten free products
Catherine Clark, a summer camp for low income, urban families
Austin Cohen, adaptable high heels that fit inside women’s flats
Domonique Davis, a model for a portable boutique
Jacob Goldberg, a method for removing snow from roads
Eduardo Mendes, a private desalination plant
Tangela Torain Myers, extended-hours daycare model
Isaac Schleifer, "Raffle Ready," bundled software and service designed for non-profits who want to hold grass roots fundraisers
Matt Taylor, a trustworthy web-based model for crowdfunding
Learn more about the "Pitch Across Maryland" competition, UB's Sept. 20 rally, and the University of Baltimore’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the School of Law, the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Public Affairs and the Merrick School of Business.