The VEE’s First Cohort Presents Business Plans to Panel of Judges on Demo Day

Brookdale Community College’s VentureHive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (VEE) celebrated a significant milestone as the first cohort of aspiring entrepreneurs presented their business plans to a panel of esteemed judges and an enthusiastic audience on Demo Day. The event held at the college’s main campus marked the culmination of the intensive 10-week accelerator program designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurial spirit within the Monmouth County community.

Dr. Jackeline Mejias-Fuertes, regional director of the Small Business Development Center at Brookdale Community College, welcomed attendees and expressed excitement about the evening’s presentations. “Thank you for joining us for our pitch presentations,” she said. “Tonight we will hear from the brightest minds in our accelerator program as they present their startups and share their journeys.”

Brookdale Community College President Dr. David M. Stout also addressed the gathering, “Welcome, everyone. This is very exciting to have the opportunity to see what everyone in the VEE’s first cohort of aspiring entrepreneurs has been working on to take their businesses to the next level. I am very excited to see their presentations. Good luck and congratulations to all of you.”

The VEE aims to drive economic development in Monmouth County by fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, teaching collaboration, and providing comprehensive support to budding entrepreneurs. The program includes workshops, a virtual hub, and plans for a physical space to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

Participants presented innovative business ideas during the event, ranging from pet fitness centers to estate sale management services. Each entrepreneur had ten minutes to present their business plan, followed by a five-minute Q&A session with the judges.

Judges for the event included:

Lisa Ascolese, CEO and founder of Inventing A to Z
Jennifer Eckhoff, Executive Director of the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce
Kevin Barry Moedt, Digital Sales Manager at Townsquare Ignite
Dr. Pericles Scaranni, an expert in entrepreneurial leadership

The evening concluded with audience participation, as attendees were invited to vote for their top three favorite presentations. The three winners were awarded checks from $500 to $2500 to help get their businesses started. The awards were funded by the National Association of Community Colleges Entrepreneurship (NACCE) Everyday Entrepreneur Program + Fund. In addition to the cash prizes, everyone who gave a pitch received a  one-year free membership in the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce. “This will help you network and get your name out there, providing a valuable platform for word-of-mouth marketing,” said Eckhoff.

Dr. Mejias-Fuertes emphasized the VEE’s significance, stating, “The VentureHive is really about creating a platform where individuals engaged in entrepreneurship can develop an entrepreneurial mindset and foster a culture of collaboration. Our participants have shown tremendous growth and dedication, and I am incredibly proud of each and every one of them.”

The results of the evening were as follows:

Third Place: Amber Hager with Down the Shore Designs
Second Place: Gianna Chiaccheri with Lady Leo Estate Sales
First Place: Maddie Agresti with Barker N Burn

After the program, Dr. Mejias-Fuertes encouraged everyone to support their small businesses wherever they go. “They are the backbone of our economy,” she said. Our goal at The VEE is to help those who are entrepreneurs in one way or another, looking to move their business forward, create their business, and figure out if it’s going to work or not. Remember, here at Brookdale, we’re here to support you. Community is our middle name.”

For more information about The VEE and future programs, please visit the website: https://www.brookdalecc.edu/venturehive-entrepreneurial-ecosystem/.