Daemen University students attended a pitch competition on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC) where aspiring business owners from Buffalo presented their ideas.
Around two dozen students in the SP23: The Entrepreneurial Mindset and SP23: Soc Entrepreneurship classes taught by Juweria Dahir, an adjunct professor at Daemen and the director of innovation and entrepreneurship at BNMC, attended the three-day pitch competition April 17-19.
Each day, five early-stage entrepreneurs taking part in the 10-week IC Success Winter 2023 Business Accelerator presented their business pitches for 10 minutes each in front of a live audience, including the Daemen business students, and a panel of judges. The presentation was followed by a 10-minute Q&A session with the judges.
Professor Dahir said it’s important for the students and the community to come together to support the entrepreneurs.
“Inclusive entrepreneurship is not just about providing equal opportunities, it’s about unlocking the potential of every dreamer and giving them the tools to turn their vision into reality,” Dahir said. “By empowering all individuals, regardless of background or circumstance, we can unleash a wave of creativity and innovation that benefits us all.”
Winners of the pitch competition were announced on May 4:
- Schondra Aytch, founder of Sneakvibing – $2,000 to cover the cost of a mic set
- Eric Flynn and Jimmie Byrd, co-founders of Living Icons – $3,000 to cover the cost of a figurine prototype and a 3D modeler
- Cheree Laguerre, Limitless Painting, $2,700 to cover the cost of scaffolding and a commercial paint sprayer
- Shanea McDougald, founder of Created to Create Co. – $3,300 to help cover the cost of a UV printer
Senior Eman Wajed, who interns with Professor Dahir, served as her co-host for the pitch competition.