McDaniel College students to compete for $5,000 prize in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge

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Five students will present their entrepreneurial ideas and innovative products to a panel of experts April  18 for the chance to win a $5,000 top prize in McDaniel College’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge at Naganna Forum in the Roj Student Center.

The students will also participate in an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week with a series of events leading up to the competition in partnership with StartUp Portal, 1 Million Cups, MAGIC and Covalent Spirits.

Other cash prizes include $1,000 for the runner-up and $1,000 for the People’s Choice winner, as well as $1,000 for the Community Changer award, at the judges’ discretion.

The five finalists are:

• Gifted Readings – Presented by Eno Akpan, senior Communication major from Fulton. Gifted Readings is a publishing company that aims to distribute educational and recreational books in which children of color are represented.
• FyFence – Presented by Lauren Dixon, junior Business Administration major from Baltimore. FyFence is designed to be a wind blocker for lighter flames to prevent flameouts.
• MYCHI – Presented by Melissa Torres, senior Business Administration major from Baltimore. MYCHI is a platform that connects first-generation college students with mentors to provide guidance and support.
• Mecca Astro adaptable bag – Presented by Moonasia Williams, sophomore Cinema major from Baltimore. This color-changing, Zodiac-themed unisex bag converts from a purse to tote bag to backpack.
• Trauma – Presented by Josiah Yung, first-year Art major with a specialization in Graphic Design and Communication major from Takoma Park. Trauma is a card game with the goal to be the last player to still have a body part.

The judges for the competition include Denise L. Beaver, director of the Carroll County Department of Economic Development; Jason Stambaugh, a 2007 alum of McDaniel College and a former entrepreneur-in-residence for the college; Karen Zuccardi, manager of the Rural Business Innovation Initiative at TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, where she oversees the development and growth of entrepreneurs in the northern counties of Maryland.

The master of ceremonies is Kathleen Pratt, adjunct lecturer in Economics and Business Administration at McDaniel and faculty adviser of the college’s Program in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.