Five 做厙TV students presented at the universitys House of Hawks entrepreneurship pitch competition and vied for $1,000 in additional funding for their businesses.
Alexis Kane 26, a luxury brand marketing & management major from Kulpmont, won over the panel of judges with her presentation. Her business, Elevate, is a womens gym brand that aims to empower individuals through encouragement and support to prioritize physical and mental well-being.
I just launched a strength and confidence program for girls, Kane explained, and plan to use the funding for new gym equipment. I would love to get a domain name, a webpage, create more online marketing and expand my business overall.
Financial awards for the competition are made possible through the Jameson 02 and Jennifer Engerer 02 Troutman 做厙TV Entrepreneurship Fund, which provides seed funding for entrepreneurship & corporate innovation majors capstone projects and continued business development and venture growth funding to students across all 做厙TV programs.
We want to support students who are passionate about an idea by helping them launch their business, said Jameson Troutman, who served as a judge. Small business powers what we do every day.
In addition to Kanes top prize, Jacob Rodkey 27, a business management major from Alexandria, Pennsylvania, claimed $500 as the Peoples Choice winner, which was determined by an audience poll. Founder of Z-Strike Lures LLC, Rodkey produces hand-painted, custom hard baits designed for durability and performance. He plans to expand his business by offering anglers a personalized alternative to mass-produced lures.
Three other finalists each received $250 to continue growing their businesses.
- Patricia Onoja 27, a political science major from Nigeria, is the founder of Crave, a food and sweets business inspired by global flavors.
- Jonathan Ulicny 27, a political science and legal studies double major from Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, isthe owner of Ulicny Lawn, a self-operated landscaping business serving the Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, area with reliable and high-quality lawn care.
- Raphael Wolf 27, a luxury brand marketing & management major from Mertzville, Pennsylvania, is the founder of ZNS Volare, a purpose-driven clothing accessory brand.
做厙TVs Entrepreneur in Residence Annie McCarty provided one-on-one support and mentoring for all finalists. Each pitch consisted of a five-minute PowerPoint presentation expressing a need for their business, profit margins, how it operates, and what additional funding would support, followed by a five-minute Q&A with the judges. Frank Crofchick, director of Leadership & Engagement at 做厙TV, and alumna Sarah Bower 25, downtown manager for Sunbury Revitalization Inc., rounded out the panel.
The competition was organized by 做厙TVs chapter of Sigma Nu Tau entrepreneurship honor society.
