CIE Student Pitch Competition

Northampton Community College (NCC) recently held its annual student pitch competition, providing a platform for students to showcase their entrepreneurial ideas. The event took place on April17, hosted by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at the Fowler Family Southside Center. This year featured seven current NCC students, all who presented their innovative concepts to a panel of four judges. Prior to the competition was a 10-week start-up bootcamp, offering the participants a comprehensive program including lectures, prototyping and field trips. 

This competition served as an opportunity for the students to receive feedback from experts, peers and mentors. Each student was paired with a mentor from the business or non-profit sector, providing guidance throughout the process. The final pitches encompassed a diverse range of ideas spanning various industries, from technology to social impact, and included both for profit and non-profit ideas. 

This event is always a great showcase of the dedication and talent of the NCC students involved, contributing to the entrepreneurial environment that NCC fosters. The event consisted of an eight-minute pitch followed by a seven-minute Q&A session from the judges. The 1st and 2nd place winners were then chosen by the judges, and 3rd place was an audience choice award. The competition is heavily competitive, and winners will receive funding to help them continue their entrepreneurial path.  

The seven distinguished students who participated in this year's bootcamp and student pitch idea competition included Nathan Avila, Jamie Storm, Shateffa Jackson, Amelia Cuello, Nisha Awan, Eduard Tovar Diaz, and Jessica Williams. 

The 1st place winner was Avila who received $2,500 for his creation of “Neuro Brew,” a mushroom based tea, specifically using Lion’s Mane mushrooms for prevention of cognitive decline. The 2nd place winner was Storm who received $1,500 for her invention of “Stormclean,” an eco-friendly cleaning service with an indoor plant care service option. The audience choice award and recipient of $1,000 was given to Jackson for her invention of “P.O.U.R. It On,” a non-profit business that provides services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

All NCC students fortunate enough to participate should take pride in their accomplishments and dedication during this year's bootcamp and final pitch competition!