logo

Ridgefield, CT

Local Young Entrepreneurs to Pitch Business Plans to Investor Panel

On Wednesday, April 25th, 16 student entrepreneurs from the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) will take the stage at Workspace Academy in Bethel to present their business ideas.  The “shark-tank” like event will see the future business leaders present to a panel of local & global business leaders in an effort to gain seed money investments.  The event will kick off at 5:30pm with networking and  a Meet and Greet followed by presentations at 6pm.

The students, representing 15 businesses and social movements, have been meeting for the past 20 weeks at Western Connecticut State University entrepreneurial space called ERIC @ The Garage.   During their course of study at ERIC, these future leaders developed ideas, created business and financial plans and worked closely with a group of mentoring business leaders within the community to prepare themselves for a six-minute pitch to the investor panel.  Based on the appeal and merit of the students’ plans and presentations, the investor panel will determine the amount of funds to allocate to each business or social movement.

The investors will also select one business to advance to the Young Entrepreneurs Academy Saunders Scholars Competition, where they will compete with students from across the United States for college scholarships.

We are grateful to the following investors who generously sponsored the panel and will give their time to the students on April 25:

  • Euripides Pelekanos, Founder & CEO of Bareburger
  • Scott Johnson, Founder & CEO of Mack Media
  • Pauline Assenza, Associate Professor Small Business Entrepreneurship Ancell School of Business at Western CT State University
  • Mary Kate Gobleck, President Reliance Merchant Services, Inc.
  • Robert Salaga, Owner Tutoring Club of Ridgefield & Stamford

The Investor Panel Event is free and open to the public. Attendees can register at destinationridgefield.com. Interviews with young entrepreneurs or members of the judging panel can be arranged. 

Register for the event here.

If you are interested in learning more about the YEA! program and how to get involved, please call Bobbi Jo Beers, 203.733.7406 or email yearidgefield@gmail.com

R
Submitted by Ridgefield, CT

Become a Local Voice in Your Community!

HamletHub invites you to contribute stories, events, and more to keep your neighbors informed and connected.

Read Next