Students Participate in Bulldog Pitch Competition

Contestants Compete in Idea and Revenue Generating Categories

MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, [email protected], 301-860-4311

(BOWIE, Md.) - Students pitched new business ideas and presented information about their revenue generating vocations to a group of judges, students and supporters in pursuit of $20,000 in prize money in the Entrepreneurship Innovation Center's 2024 Bulldog Pitch Competition.

The grand prize winner of $8,000 in the Revenue Generatingcategory was junior Calvin-Caleb Amioleman, a computer science major who promoted the Vegan Pub, an AI platform that makes plant-based eating easy by offering personalized diet plans, recipes and dining suggestions for anyone including athletes.

I'm a body builder and 80% of body building is based on what you eat," said Amioleman. "When I did my research on what food I should consume for protein to build muscle, I learned that a plant-based diet works and is healthier, so I decided to provide a service for anyone and everyone that promotes the Vegan lifestyle for better health."

Blair Jefferson, senior psychology major with BDivine Naturals, placed second and won $4,000 for her handcrafted herbal skin and haircare products made from premium sourced ingredients.

Ademola Obisesan, a graduate management and information systems student, walked away with the first runner-up prize of $875 in the revenue category with his eco-friendly AutoGlenn Express, a mobile personalized car detailing service available through an app. The second runner-up, Chimdi Ego, also received $875. Her company, Captiv, is a technology driven media hub that provides resources and training services to support individuals who need podcasting, videography, photography and other creative requirements.

In the Ideacategory, Justice Morant took home the $3,000 first prize with the app EmpowerHer which empowers young girls through community support, partner involvement, engaging content and influencer-driven campaigns. Morant is a sophomore child adolescent studies major. The $2,000 second prize went to Noelle Brown, a senior business administration major who pitched LASHFOREVER, an extreme lash sealent that provides enhanced retention for individual lash sets and clusters. Keonna Thomas, a senior visual communication and digital media arts major, was runner-up and took home $750 with K.T.V., a proposed mobile studio that will provide on-site photography and videography with same-day prints.

Judges for the Pitch Competition included venture capitalists, industry partners, investors and BSU alumnae who provided input to the contestants about their businesses and pointers on how to grow and expand.

"This event has gained a tremendous amount of momentum with our students," said Johnetta Hardy, executive director of the Entrepreneurship Innovation Center. "I'm amazed at the number of great business ideas that they are pursuing. The Bulldog Pitch Competition is one of the most important activities the Center has for the campus community, and we only see it expanding in future years."

Sponsors of the 2024 Bulldog Pitch Competition include Blackstone LaunchPad, University StartUps, Funding Trek, Maryland Innovation Initiative, Maryland Business Opportunity Center, Maryland Women's Business Center and BSU's Entrepreneurship Innovation Center.

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