MCC entrepreneurial studies students Samantha Sawyer and Tom Clock won first and second place, respectively, in Emerge’s annual Elevator Pitch Competition held on Dec. 2 at Baker College.
“Our participation in the Emerge competition demonstrates the commitment that out students have to starting up businesses here in West Michigan,” said Dave Stradal, the MCC Business Department chair and director of the College’s Entrepreneurial Studies Program.
“In their pitches and as part of their in-class training, the students were able to clearly identify how they plan would be different than existing businesses, which gives them a greater probability of success in their future endeavors.”
Sawyer won $1,000 for first place for her business idea, Ground to Glass, a West Michigan-based organic hops farm that will grow hops for the beer industry, as well as for farm animal feed, herbal medicine makers, and creative chefs. Judges liked that her business idea capitalized on two current trends, organic foods and craft beer brewing.
Clock won $750 for second place for his business concept, Tom’s Auto Repair, a West Michigan-based auto repair facility that devotes more time diagnosing problems upfront to take the guess work out of auto repair that frustrates customers.
Additional MCC students who competed included Ric Erb, Jacob True, and Lesliemarie Dixon. All MCC participants are part of the College’s entrepreneurial training program.
Emerge Elevator Pitch, now in its fifth year, is an annual competition open to West Michigan high school students, as well as those at MCC and Baker College. The competition venue alternates annually between MCC and Baker College.
For more information about the competition or MCC’s entrepreneurial educational options, contact Dave Stradal at (231) 777-0304 or at david.stradal@muskegoncc.edu.