Skidmore’s creative entrepreneurs solve real-world problems

What makes the annual Kenneth A. Freirich Entrepreneurship Competition such a rewarding experience for Skidmore’s passionate student entrepreneurs each
year?  

Is it the invaluable mentorship fostered among students, staff, and alumni mentors,
who bring real-world feedback and insight to the “Shark Tank”-like competition? Maybe
it’s the thrill of anticipating who will be awarded cash prizes that will help take
students’ ideas to the next level? Or maybe it’s being part of an exciting Skidmore
tradition that is now in its 15th year?  

The answer has to do with all of the above and more: Skidmore is a place where creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship are celebrated; where a supportive community including past competition winners,
alumni mentors, classmates, faculty and staff, parents, and judges from successful
enterprises come together to cheer on students and ensure that student projects shine.
 

That talent and creativity went on full display at this year’s competition finals
held on April 12.  

From clothing lines with social and environmental impacts, to apps that make trip
planning or listening to favorite music easier, all eight business plans that qualified for the 2024 finals worked to find creative, entrepreneurial solutions
to solving challenging problems while also making a world of difference.  

And the winner is … 

Malika Sawadogo ’24 celebrates after winning the 2024 Kenneth A. Freirich Entrepreneurship
Competition.

MESTH Collection  

Malika Sawadogo ’24 captivated the audience with her showcase of quality, affordable
clothing inspired by the beauty of her homeland, Burkina Faso. Her presentation not
only highlighted the thoughtfully sourced fabrics from her hometown but also featured
a vibrant fashion show showcasing the line’s men’s and women’s wear.  

MESTH’s unique clothing and bags not only exude beauty but also serve a greater purpose
of supporting the community that inspired the fashion line. With a commitment to giving
back, 5% of proceeds will be directed toward aiding widows and orphans in Sawadogo’s
home country of Burkina Faso. Looking ahead, she envisions establishing a foundation
that will provide even more support to the community. 

Here’s a buyer’s secret: Sawadogo aims to offer consumers a sense of individuality
through her limited design brand approach. By choosing a MESTH piece, not only will
you adorn yourself with a handmade, traditional African design, but you’ll also own
a style that’s truly one of a kind. 

Second to none … 

Justice Ripinga ’24, who placed second, presents his business plan for Quatam, a ride-sharing
app for minibus taxis in South Africa.

Quatam 

Quatam is a ride-sharing app with a mission to revolutionize public transportation
efforts in South Africa. According to its founder, Justice Ripinga ’24, upward of
70% of South Africans face challenges, such as long waits, associated with the minibus
taxi, the country’s main form of transportation. Quatam allows passengers to accurately
locate a seat on the nearest minibus while optimizing routes for drivers to ensure
efficient pickups. 

Ripinga is a member of the African Leadership Academy,which seeks to transform young leaders into the next generation of entrepreneurs.
 

Time for third … 

Azizul Hakim ’26 (left), Fiker Tadesse ’26 (center), Jacob Kriss ’25 (behind Tadesse),
and Casey Rueda ’24 (right), who placed third, present their business plan.

QuickThought 

College students understand the time crunch as well as anyone, and QuickThought  provides
a solution. Azizul Hakim ’26, Casey Rueda ’24, Fiker Tadesse ’26, and Jacob Kriss
’25 developed the schedule-syncing application to help people optimize free time and
improve group planning efforts. 

The third-place winner is a faster, simpler, and personalized platform that not only
helps find and coordinate time, but also integrates multiple calendars into one place
and offers suggestions on how to spend free time based on an individual’s energy level,
social battery, and budget. 

Entrepreneurship at Skidmore … 

Skidmore’s liberal arts curriculum encourages students to think outside of the box
and consider how they might connect the dots among seemingly disparate concepts and
ideas. Students are encouraged to think through how they can solve problems creatively,
improve their communities, and use entrepreneurial approaches to pressing issues.
 

“To be an entrepreneur is to embody the liberal arts. Freirich is a business plan
competition, but also a larger constellation of entrepreneurial experiences … At
Skidmore, we want all our students to hone creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial
skills,” President Marc C. Connor said, noting the competition was open to students
from all majors.  “Here, you can be an artist, scientist, French or dance major…
and an entrepreneur.” 

Business plan bonus …  

The Freirich Competition isn’t the only place where Skidmore students have put their
entrepreneurial talents on recent display.

In the weeks leading up to Freirich, a student team presented their business plan,
FarmHub NY, at the New York State Business Plan Competition. The results: second place in the
agricultural track and advancing to finals at the end of April. Founded by Sophie
Sacco ’24 and business partner Noa Berger ’24, FarmHub NY was created with a mission
to connect consumers with small local farmers.