The global pandemic did not put a damper on the entrepreneurial spirit of 142 TU students who competed in the university’s largest annual entrepreneurship showcase—the Business Model Competition.
Hosted virtually throughout March and April, the competition challenged students to present their business and social entrepreneurship ideas. Participants had to develop and articulate their value proposition, customer segments, revenue streams, key activities, key resources, cost structure and more.
The competitors recorded and submitted short video pitches, which were reviewed by a panel of faculty judges. A total of 95 pitches were made, and 23 were selected for the final round, where participants presented their business models live in a virtual meeting.
Luke Marrone, a senior majoring in business administration/entrepreneurship, took first place and $3,000 for Ravens Rescue, a company that offers fully customizable tailgate parties for Baltimore Ravens home games utilizing a decommissioned ambulance that has been restored into the ultimate tailgating vehicle.
Joe Scharf, also a senior majoring in business administration/entrepreneurship, placed second and took home $2,000 for What a Find Thrift, an online reselling company that offers high-end and vintage preowned men’s clothing.
“We take the time to search, so our clients can spend more time finding the perfect piece of clothing to complete their look,” said Scharf.
Communications Major Isabella Italiano placed third for her idea, Track It!, a discrete adhesive tracking strip for bikes, skateboards, and scooters, designed to send GPS signals directly to an app on your phone and give you peace of mind knowing your valuables are safe. Italiano won $1,300 for her business.
In addition to prize money, all three winners were offered consulting packages at their choice of select partner incubators in the region.
The judges were impressed not only by the students innovativeness and passion for their ideas but also how well they pivoted to presenting their ideas virtually instead of in person.
Business Model Competition Spring 2020 Finalists
Adeola Ajani, Equal Wealth
Julie Atayi (along with Ashley Groff, Kayla Wolf, Tayler Person), Dorm U
Erik Chaney, TPMS 2.0
Ryan Dieter, Inspire Agency
Saj Dillard, WHOLE
Nicole Gomez, TU Fit
Colin Hartleib, Friendly Neighbor Services
Adrianna Holocker, We Care Period
Isabella Italiano, TrackIt! (Third Place)
Muinat Lawal and Kelsey Mangin, SAS (Students Against Spiking)
Eiam Lomash, Family Farms
Olivia Lubarsky, Own Your Roar
Luke Marrone and Dagim Minale, Ravens Rescue (First Place)
Jake McLean, Super Suits
Tori Nicholson, MADVA
Ayanna Perry, Inevitable Criminal
Tayler Person, Brand Smart
Curtis Phillips, Brighter Residential Redevelopment
Roland Roberts and Norris Miller, Spread Management
Joe Scharf, What A Find Thrift (Second Place)
Megan Spears, Comfier
Darian Street, Sticky Flys
Brittany Yeahl, Stitch Back