Finalists Announced for UBalt's 'Rise to the Challenge' Business Pitch Competition

Judges representing The University of Baltimore's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation have selected eight businesses as finalists for the upcoming "Rise to the Challenge" Pitch Competition. The annual event, now in its 13th year, provides an opportunity for members of the greater UBalt community to pitch ideas and concepts for new and existing businesses before a live audience of their peers, supporters and entrepreneurial experts from the Baltimore community.

This year's panel consisting of undergrads, grad students and alumni will compete, in two separate business categories, Aspiring Business Ventures and Existing Business Ventures, for nearly $30,000 in seed money and in-kind professional services.

The "Rise to the Challenge" competition, sponsored by UBalt's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and designed to generate awareness of new and emerging innovative business ventures nurtured by the University of Baltimore community, is scheduled for Thursday, May 1, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Registration is required to attend (Details listed below.)

This spring's finalists and their businesses in Aspiring Business Ventures are:

• Mary-Elizabeth Baccus, Digii Digital LLC, which is set to revolutionize graduation ceremonies by fusing traditional cap customization with interactive digital technology. industry.
• Cai Davis, Tipsy Trips, a mobile app that connects users with exclusive happy hour specials at local restaurants and bars, driving foot traffic during non-peak hours while enhancing customer engagement.
• Maxwell Lawson, WigglyFix, a revolutionary, hands-free, reusable wig installation device designed to simplify and enhance the wig-wearing experience.
• Shakkearra Sykes, Brève, which offers a curated selection of premium, customizable home decor products and services designed to elevate living spaces with style and flexibility.

The finalists and businesses in the Existing Business Ventures category are:

• Maria Del Hoyo, Blackfoot Studio at Rare Gold Music Group, provides a boutique recording studio setting and an artistic hub for the downtown Baltimore area, serving visiting industry professionals and local artists.
• Dorien Murphy, Cheffin, a premium private chef service delivering curated, high-end fine dining experiences in private homes, luxury apartments, and corporate settings.
• Ayanna Roberts, Pretty Kitty Wax Studio LLC, a skincare studio that provides expert care designed for melanin-rich skin, offering personalized treatments in a comfortable, culturally competent environment.
• N'Kobe Turner, Grandma's Southern Pies, which provides organic, gluten-free, and vegan pies and cookies to health-conscious consumers and socially aware consumers who value businesses contributing to autism awareness.

This dynamic group will present before a live audience and a panel of expert judges, representing the local business ecosystem who will band together to select the winners.

"Once again, I am impressed by the diversity of the submissions and the breadth of this year's applicants, who hail from all corners of the UBalt community," said Henry Mortimer, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. "It's exciting to see so many unique ideas put forth by our students and alumni, and an honor to support their efforts through the CEI. I imagine the judges are going to have their work cut out for them in May. This is shaping up to be our best pitch competition yet."

The University of Baltimore Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, named one of the Baltimore Business Journal's "Top Incubators and Accelerators for 2019," directs support and assistance to UBalt students and alumni interested in building or growing an enterprise. The center leverages support for its users through events, networking opportunities, culture, education and research, and connections with the business community.

Register to attend the 13th annual "Rise to the Challenge" business pitch competition.