Business Plan Competition Previous Winners

CCBC's Center for Business Innovation's Business Plan Competition has been the launching pad for many new businesses. Congratulations to our winners!

2023

Screenshot of zoom meetingCenter for Business Innovation hosted its 10th Annual Business Plan Competition Virtual Awards Banquet on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023.

The event featured the top 10 pitches from aspiring entrepreneurs, all of whom are CCBC students or alumni. This year’s first-place prize of $20,000 was awarded to Michael Guarraia of MG Custom Lighting, LLC, a company that makes handmade industrial-style lamps using reclaimed industrial parts and machinery.

Learn more about the 2023 winners »

2022

Photo of the Business plan competition winner being annoucedCenter for Business Innovation hosted its 9th Annual Business Plan Competition Virtual Awards Banquet on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022.

The event featured the top 12 pitches from aspiring entrepreneurs, all of whom are CCBC students or alumni. The first place winner was Krystal Henry of Around the Way Parchment, a full-service stationery design firm connected to African-American and popular culture dedicated to strengthening interpersonal relationships and building stronger connections one piece of paper at a time.

Learn more about the 2022 winners »

2021

Photo of the Business plan competition winner being annoucedCenter for Business Innovation hosted its 8th Annual Business Plan Competition Virtual Awards Banquet on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021.

The event featured the top 11 pitches from aspiring entrepreneurs, all of whom are CCBC students or alumni. The first place winner was Talena Coles of Coles Classic Cakes, an upscale bakery specializing in homemade custom baked goods.

Learn more about the 2021 winners »

2020

Winners of the 2020 business plan conpetition pose for a photoCCBC’s Center for Business Innovation held its 7th Annual Business Plan Competition on Saturday, February 1, 2020 on our Catonsville campus. Twelve participants competed for $62,500 in seed money to help jumpstart their businesses.

First-place winnings went to Nichelle Roane and Todd Sheridan, owners of TreeHouse Juicery, an online juice company that produces and delivers cold-pressed juices to residential and commercial customers.

Learn more about the 2020 winners and view event photos »

2019

1st Place — $10,000: Glenn Smith — Having a Seat at the Table, an event planning and high end niche furniture rental company specializing in renting luxury chairs, tables & accessories for events.

2nd Place — $7,500: Weilfried Zouantcha and Sean Louhisdon — Automate.AI, assist brands or businesses in creating personalized conversations with their customers at scale using chat bots.

3rd Place — $5,000: Paij Hardy — Inclusive Arts Initiative, Phenomenal Artists Revolutionary Thinkers (aPART), a non-fit inclusive arts program that offers access to training, opportunity, and platforms that helps to reach the artistic voice in everyone (dance, visual art, theater and music).

Runner-up — $3,000: Fatai Folawiyo — Ty’s Green Acres, builds edible gardens for customers and provides them with the plants needed for their garden space.

Runner-up — $3,000: Jakeytia Jones — Well by Design, design form that forms a link between health care and residential settings that provides aid in healing, and promotes healthy environments with respect to its interiors.

2018

1st Place — $10,000: Shawanna Preston — Coco Kendyll Beauty, all natural hair and skin care products for African-American women.

2nd Place — $7,500: Lindsey Scarpulla, Isabella Griffiths, and Madison Birsner — Clean Conscious, all natural cleaning products.

3rd Place — $5,000: Samuel Muturi — Sam’s Aerial Photography, drone based video and photography serving golf courses, builders, and real estate agencies.

4th Place — $3,000: Eddy Fossung — I Made Customz, custom t-shirt designer serving sports teams, associations, and local businesses.

Runner-up — $1,500: LaTasha Lee — Tasha Flowers, floral designs for weddings, proms, and special events.

Runner-up — $1,500: Terrance Bates and Shardae Turner — Artists Vision Gallery, cultural artist hub and store servicing artepreneurs and art collectors.

2017

1st Place — $10,000: Joshua Hayes — Slick & Shine, mobile car and truck detailing company.

2nd Place — $7,500: Ginna Barilone — Mzz B Productions, exuberant music and entertainment for events.

3rd Place — $5,000: M. Nodjinduba (Nodji) Maouyo — Roost + Nest, interior design consultation and purchasing service for adults in transition, with a special focus on young adults.

4th Place — $3,000: Angela Phillips — CharmCity Balloons and Events, high quality corporate and private event management services and balloon décor.

Runner-up — $1,500: Michael Robinson — Get it Done, residential and commercial moving services.

Runner-up — $1,500: Damisha Hazelton — DEO Marketing Company, helping salon owners increase their brand exposure through social media with photography.