Savannah State University’s College of Business Administration (COBA) is hosting its first Alumni Business Pitch Competition to allow Tiger entrepreneurs with a business concept or an existing business the chance to win seed money and mentorship opportunities. Sponsored by the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA), the competition will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 5 p.m. in the Torian Auditorium located in the Howard Jordan COBA building, 3219 College St. Designed to foster dynamic thinking and shape entrepreneurial perspectives, the competition is open to the public and there is no cost to attend.

Organized by the university’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), the top three pitches will be awarded funding to jumpstart their venture concept or develop a product prototype with a first-place award of $5,000, second-place award of $2,500 and third-place award of $1,500.

“We chose to target SSU Alumni for this inaugural pitch event to afford our current students the opportunity to benefit from having the process modeled prior to the undergraduate pitch event scheduled for Spring 2022,” said Shalonda Mullgrav, DBA, interim dean of COBA. ““We invite anyone interested in entrepreneurial endeavors to join us for this exciting display of talent and business acumen.” 

Participants were required to attend developmental workshops facilitated by successful entrepreneurs. Each participant submitted a written business plan and will present the plan during the event. Judges include local community professionals from the Savannah Chapter of the Service Corps of Retired Executives, SEDA, and the Black Chamber of Commerce.

SSU’s CIE offers a suite of services and catalyzes initiatives that elevate innovation and promote entrepreneurship in the Savannah area. An extension of COBA, CIE provides an opportunity to engage with the university, its resources, and its students for the creation of new technology-based ventures and the growth and development of existing businesses. The CIE partners with both public and private organizations to support the economic development of the region through knowledge sharing, strategic collaboration and job creation for African Americans and underrepresented entrepreneurs and innovators.

For more information, contact Shetia Butler Lamar, Ph.D., Computer Information Systems program coordinator and assistant professor, by emailingButlers@savannahstate.edu or calling 912-358-3401.

Credit: Original article published here.