the work that they put into this competition, amid the many responsibilities they face every day – including attending classes, working full-time jobs, and managing the many aspects of their personal lives — is nothing short of extraordinary.
Four winners, including undergraduate students and recent alumni, emerged from the “Rise to the Challenge” Business Pitch Competition on May 2, each receiving their own “big check” and a portion of the nearly $30,000 in prize money. The event, now in its 12th year, is supported annually by the University of Baltimore's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to showcase many of the UBalt community's most talented and driven entrepreneurs.
Two Ratcliffe Entrepreneurship Fellows and one alum were chosen for the evening’s
top prizes, with the “Most Promising Business” award going to Aasha Mikha'El, founder
of Uniquely in Place (U.I.P), a hair salon/ barbershop servicing children and adults
with autism and other behavioral challenges. The $15,000 award, established in 2018
through the Jay Ripley Entrepreneurship Fund and given to the student whose business,
in either category, has the best prospects for growth, as determined by the judges.
Mikha’El also took home the Crowd Favorite award of $1,000.
Masie Hawkins, founder of The Dream Bra, a comfortable push-up bra that promotes beauty
using irritation-free, healthy materials, took home first place in the “Aspiring Business
Ventures” category, netting $2,000.
Joyson Balisamore (B.S. ’23) earned the top vote for “Existing Business Ventures” with his Jay's Watermelonade,
a natural beverage made without excessive sugars and artificial ingredients, capturing
a $5,000 prize. Balisamore also won the Baltimore Fund Award, a $1,000 prize awarded
to the entrepreneur who best exemplifies the University’s commitment to Community
and Civic Engagement, Ethical Engagement, and Responsible and Resourceful Stewardship
for the City of Baltimore.
The winner of the $5,000 Dean’s Challenge Award was Maria Del Hoyo, Blackfoot Studio, a boutique recording studio that aims to unify Baltimore's art
and creative collective while unlocking opportunities for growth in the entertainment
industry. Established by Murray Dalziel, former Dean of the Merrick School of Business, the Dean’s Challenge Award is given to the competitor
or competitors who best demonstrate the social impact of their venture. Del Hoyo also
earned the $500 “Hustle Award.” Provided by Jason Tagler, founder of Pitch Creator, the cash prize goes to the finalist who shows the most improvement during the multi-week
presentation coaching program.
As an added highlight this year, Amivi Atsu, a senior Ratcliffe Entrepreneurship Fellow delivered the keynote address. Atsu is
founder of AfriVariety, an African home decor and gifts retail business,
discussed how her experience as an entrepreneurship student at UBalt has fueled and
shaped her success – and helped make the entire night a memorable celebration of the
entrepreneurial spirit.
Other finalists in the competition included Erica Odoemene, founder of Eriodo Education,
an online platform using gamification, AI, and personalized challenges to teach financial
literacy in an engaging and adaptive experience, and Crystal Wamalwa (B.A. ’19), who created audaCITY Tours to shine a light on black artists by offering
them a stage to showcase the depth and diversity of their talents in painting, music,
literature, or performance.
The panel of expert judges, representing the local business and entrepreneurship community,
included:
“Although not everyone walked away with a monetary prize, I believe that all of the finalists proved to be winners this year,” said Henry Mortimer, director of UBalt’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. “Honestly, the work that they put into this competition, amid the many responsibilities they face every day – including attending classes, working full-time jobs, and managing the many aspects of their personal lives — is nothing short of extraordinary. They’re all impressive, and it is my hope that I’m not the only one who feels that way. My wish is that each caught the attention of someone new who’d be interested in their idea or product, possibly some very influential people who can help nurture the growth of their enterprise and allow them to continue to develop as entrepreneurs.”
The “Rise to the Challenge” competition, sponsored by UBalt’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, is designed to generate awareness of emerging and established innovative business ventures nurtured by the UBalt community. Learn more about the “Rise to the Challenge” Business competition here. The University of Baltimore Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation directs support and assistance to UBalt students and alumni interested in building or growing an enterprise. We do this through support, culture, events, education and research, and connecting with the business community.
Visit us at www.ubalt.edu/cei for more information.
