Rachel Lapidow

BEFORE CVUs Future Entrepreneurs Polish Their Pitch FROM CVU PRESS RELEASE What do a food boat on Lake Champlain, a box that helps you save money, a non-profit that recycles used dancewear, and a drone video/photography company all have in common? These business ideas were pitched by the The creators of these business ideas were winners of this year’s elevator pitch competition! This semester’s CVU Entrepreneurship students participated in an Elevator Pitch Competition as their final exam. Students had two minutes to convey the heart of their business to the judges,: Andrea Wolak and Jeanne Albertson from the Merchant’s Bank. In these just two minutes, students concisely outlined their business proposal, marketing strategy, and competitive advantage. Students learned that prospective business owners are strongly encouraged to polish theirthis pitchelevator pitches, since it can mean the difference between raising desired capital and being forced to leavecompletely leaving their business ideas behind. Students spend the semester developing a business plan, and this culminating event is wonderful way to wrap up the course. This semester’s winners are: first place, 1st Place, Carly Alpert from Charlotte — creator of The Flow; second place,2nd Place, Caleb Sampson from Williston — Save Your Money Box; third place,3rd Place Johana Vigoreaux from Williston — creator of Dance Again; and Honorable Mentionhonorable mention for Flynn Freeman from Williston– — creator of Blue Skies Photography. The judges were Andrea Wolak, Community community Banking banking Manager manager and Lender lender Specialist specialist from the Merchants Bank in Bristol and Jeanne Albertson, Community community Banking banking Manager manager from the Merchants Bank in Hinesburg. The course is taught by Tamie-Jo Dickinson. AFTER CVU’s Future Entrepreneurs Polish Their Pitch FROM CVU PRESS RELEASE What do a food boat on Lake Champlain, a box that helps you save money, a non-profit that recycles used dancewear, and a drone video/photography company all have in common? These business ideas were pitched by the winners of this year’s elevator pitch competition! This semester’s CVU Entrepreneurship students, taught by Tamie-Jo Dickinson, participated in an Elevator Pitch Competition for their final exam. Students had two minutes to convey the heart of their business to the judges: Andrea Wolak and Jeanne Albertson from Merchants Bank. In just two minutes, students concisely outlined their business proposal, marketing strategy, and competitive advantage. Students learned that prospective business owners are strongly encouraged to polish their elevator pitches, since it can mean the difference between raising desired capital and being forced to leave their business ideas behind. Students spend the semester developing a business plan, and this culminating event is wonderful way to wrap up the course. This semester’s winners are: first place, Carly Alpert from Charlotte — creator of The Flow; second place, Caleb Sampson from Williston — Save Your Money Box; third place Johana Vigoreaux from Williston — creator of Dance Again; and honorable mention for Flynn Freeman from Williston — creator of Blue Skies Photography. The judges were Andrea Wolak, community banking manager and lender specialist from the Merchants Bank in Bristol and Jeanne Albertson, community banking manager from the Merchants Bank in Hinesburg.