The Lab for Entrepreneurship and Transformative Leadership at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) wrapped up its 1st Annual Equity Incubator program with an exciting “Shark Tank” style competition on December 7, as students and local entrepreneurs competed for a chance to win a $10,000 grand prize to fund their initiative, or an audience-selected $1,000 prize.
The Equity Incubator and Showcase events were sponsored by the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation and the Blair Family Foundation.
Five local companies competed against each other after eight weeks of workshops, research, experiments, and mentorship opportunities. At the beginning of the program, each team of students was paired with one of the following entrepreneur mentors to meet on a weekly basis:
- Tiffany Hosey, founder of BuildDATAanalytics
- Seema Alexander from Disruptive.CEO
- Aaron Saunders, founder of Clearly Innovative Inc. & IN3
- Cedric Nwafor, founder of Roots Africa
- Greg Merril, founder of Adaptive Phage Therapeutics
Held in the Biomedical Science and Engineering Building at USG, the evening opened with a VIP networking hour where the competing students had the opportunity to meet the judges and other key figures in attendance. Marc Steren, Director, and Katherine Zmoda, Program Manager, from USG’s Entrepreneurship Lab then welcomed guests and introduced the judges (Dr. Anne Khademian, Executive Director of USG, David Blair, Chairman of Accountable Health, and Ben Wu, President and CEO of Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation), who heard from the five teams that were selected out of 20 applicants to present their business ideas:
- Code & Play, an online platform for remote K-12 coding and computer science classes (Felipe De Padua)
- Dorothy’s Place, a HIPAA-compliant photo and video sharing platform to streamline communication between therapists, parents, and autistic children (Colleen Baldwin)
- MUSA, a nonprofit organization to promote Malagasy culture through events and social projects (Rovasoa Timothy Andrianarison, Yannrick Andriantsoa, and Riana Mikaël Rabemananjara)
- Hubble Financial, a low-cost data provider for the financial services and insurance industry that transforms large and complex data sets into easy-to-use decision-making tools (Christine Nolan)
- Noble Uprising, a nonprofit organization that empowers economically impoverished women with health resources, high-quality career readiness, and workforce training L. Audrey Awasom)
After each presentation, the judges asked further questions of the entrepreneurs. During the judges’ deliberation, the audience selected MUSA as the recipient of the $1,000 Audience Choice Award. The $10,000 first place prize, selected by the judges, was then awarded to Code & Play. Some notable achievements among the teams include:
- Dorothy’s Place established its first paying customer;
- MUSA was approved as a nonprofit organization and increased its revenue six-fold;
- Noble Uprising, a nonprofit, launched two new programs to support underrepresented and homeless women;
- Hubble Financial learned how to use OKRs (outcome and key results used at Google) to set Q1 goals and metrics;
- Using a Blue Ocean strategy they learned in the incubator, Code & Play generated $33,000+ in additional revenue to find a new segment;
- In total, the teams reached 500+ new users/customers.
Congratulations to Code & Play and all of the other participants!
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FREE Shred Day
Join us at Lafayette Federal Credit Union for a Free Community Shred Day, an event dedicated to helping you protect your privacy and the environment! Bring your old bank statements, bills, medical records, and any other paper documents that need secure disposal, and we'll take care of them on the spot.
Why You Should Come:
Protect Your Privacy: Safely shred sensitive documents to help prevent identity theft.
Eco-Friendly: All shredded material will be recycled, supporting our commitment to sustainability.
Complimentary Breakfast: Enjoy a free breakfast on us--start your day right with good food and good company!
Exciting Giveaways & Prizes: Don't miss out on giveaways and be sure to enter our drawing for a chance to win one of four $100 gift cards.
This event is open to all! It's a fantastic opportunity to clean out those old documents cluttering up your home, safe in the knowledge that they will be disposed of securely. Plus, it's completely free!
Don't miss out on this chance to declutter safely, enjoy some free treats, and possibly win a great prize. We look forward to seeing you there, rain or shine!
For more information, contact us at www.lfcu.events/shred.
FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival
Get ready to experience the vibrant colors, tantalizing flavors, and infectious rhythms of the Caribbean at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival! Hosted by RHU LLC, this exciting festival is set to take place on May 18, 2024, at the picturesque 16700 Barnesville Rd in Boyds, MD.
Step into a world where the Caribbean spirit comes alive! From 12:00 PM onwards, immerse yourself in a sensory journey that celebrates the unique culture, cuisine, and music of the Caribbean. Whether you're an African American, a Reggae or Soca music enthusiast, a wine lover, or part of the vibrant Caribbean diaspora, this festival promises to delight and captivate you in every way.
Let the enticing aromas of mouthwatering Caribbean dishes tantalize your taste buds. Feast on traditional delicacies prepared by expert chefs, showcasing the rich and diverse culinary heritage of the Caribbean. Indulge in flavorful jerk chicken, succulent seafood, and delectable plantain dishes that will transport you straight to the islands.
Accompanying the culinary extravaganza is a carefully curated selection of premium wines, ensuring the perfect pairing for your palate. Sip on fine wines from renowned vineyards, each sip a reflection of the Caribbean's vibrant spirit. Discover new flavors, expand your wine knowledge, and savor unforgettable moments with every glass.
As the sun sets, get ready to groove to the infectious rhythms of Caribbean music. Feel the pulsating beats of reggae, soca, dancehall, and calypso, moving your body to the lively melodies. Live performances by talented musicians and performers will keep the energy high, ensuring a night of unforgettable entertainment.
Don't miss this opportunity to embrace the Caribbean spirit and celebrate the arrival of spring in style! Tickets are available on AllEvents, so secure your spot today. Join us at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival, where cultures collide and unforgettable memories are made.
LIVE PERFORMANCES By: CULTURE Feat. Kenyatta Hill, EXCO LEVI, IMAGE BAND, RAS LIDJ REGG'GO with Special Guest SUGAR BEAR FROM E.U. & MORE! & MORE!
MUSIC By: DJ ABLAZE, DJ SMALLY & NAJ SUPREME
2 NIGHT Camping packages available: RV/CAMPER $200 | TENTS $150 Starting on Friday May 17 @ 5pm | 30 RV SPACES | 30+ TENT SPACES
KIDS 12 & UNDER FREE!!!
