Frederick Community College (FCC) recently held its first Food Business Entrepreneurship Program pitch competition, sponsored by the city and county’s economic development departments. The program served 40 students in its first semester, all of whom had the opportunity to present their business ideas in a ‘Shark Tank’-style event.
The goal of the program was to encourage entrepreneurship in Frederick and the surrounding area and to enable businesses to thrive through collaboration. All of the competitors showed great promise and determination during their pitches, making it clear that Frederick is full of entrepreneurs ready to make their mark in the business world.
The competition was fierce as participants battled for top prizes including a six-month mentorship at Maryland Bakes for the winner, a $1,000 scholarship for second place and a $500 cash award for third place. In the end, Desiree Calixte won first prize with her company Easy Oat Burgers; Someko Hanson took home second prize with an eggroll business; and Bryan and Nicolle Beiglarbeigi won third prize with their home-cooked service Frederick Daily Meals.
FCC plans to run this program again in the fall due to its success this semester. The college hopes that its initiative will inspire more entrepreneurs to launch new ventures in Frederick County, providing more jobs and economic opportunities for those who live there.
In addition to recognizing hardworking entrepreneurs, FCC aims to provide mentorship opportunities for participants looking for guidance on launching their own businesses or seeking assistance from experienced professionals. Through this program, students have access to valuable resources that can help them get started on their entrepreneurial journey.
Frederick County’s Economic Development Department commended FCC’s efforts in launching this successful program saying “We are very proud of FCC’s commitment towards helping our local businesses grow stronger and healthier.” They added that “This type of initiative is invaluable as it allows us to foster more meaningful relationships between our community members and our local economy.”
FCC is committed to helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses and make a positive impact on our local economy. The college views its pitch competition as just the beginning of a larger effort to help foster entrepreneurship in Frederick County. As the program continues to grow, FCC expects that more students will be inspired to create innovative businesses and take advantage of all the resources and support the college has to offer.
Frederick Community College plans to continue offering its Food Business Entrepreneurship Program in the upcoming semesters with the goal of inspiring more entrepreneurs and providing valuable resources for those looking to launch their own businesses. The college is committed to helping our local economy grow through fostering meaningful relationships between community members, businesses, and economic development departments.
It’s initiatives like this that will make Frederick County an even stronger, more vibrant place to live and work. FCC is proud to be part of the entrepreneurial spirit that drives our local economy forward, and looks forward to making a positive impact in our community as it continues to help businesses flourish.
