Thirteen Howard Community College (HCC) students pitched their innovative business ideas to a panel of entrepreneurial business professionals at the Fall Entrepreneurial Celebration. The bi-annual event is sponsored by HCC’s Center for Entrepreneurial & Business Excellence (CEBE), Pinnacle Advisory Group and Howard County Chamber of Commerce (HCCC).
At the event, students from HCC’s introductory entrepreneurship and creativity course have five minutes each to present their business ideas to the panel. The Pinnacle Entrepreneur Prize is presented to the top scorers, with an award of $1,800 for first place and $700 for placing second; the CEBE also awards a cash prize to the third-place winner and People’s Choice.
In addition, the HCCC will host the top two student winners from the fall and spring events for an entrepreneurial showdown at an evening event in late May 2018.
HCC President Kate Hetherington awarded the following students.
• First Place: Lacey Carpenter for her presentation of Rosiieecheekz Cosmetics, a brand designed to break gender stereotypes and create a safe, friendly community for makeup lovers.
• Second Place: Lashay Howard for her presentation of Aston Bands, customized hair bows and bow ties with unique designs appealing to young adults.
• Third Place: Azmain Faeque for his presentation of The Smart Mug, a mug that allows the user to set and maintain temperature control, as well as identify the health benefits of the beverage.
• People’s Choice: Nathan Raifsnider for his presentation of The HoCoLocal Foundation, a one-stop Internet destination and homepage for Howard County community members.
Visit howardcc.edu/CEBE or call 443-518-1520 for more information.