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Florida State University researchers and two students pitch business ideas to “Shark Tank” veterans Barbara Corcoran and Robert Herjavec at the 10th annual Power Forward Speaker Series, co-sponsored by First Commerce and FSU was promoted.
Madysen Howard and Macy Maiocco, two Commercial Entrepreneurship students in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, are working on Emcee, an event planning application that connects Greek Life event planners with vendors including venues and other essential services. was promoted.
“The chance to pitch our business to the Sharks was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we were honored to be the business selected for the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship,” Howard said. “We spent many hours working with professors and other experienced professionals to prepare and perfect our proposal.
Maiocco said she was nervous when the moment arrived, but Corcoran and Herjavec immediately put her at ease.
“They were cooperative and eager to hear about our business,” Maiocco said. “Their valuable feedback not only enriched our startup journey, but also had a deep and lasting impact on us.”
Jessica Ridgway Clayton, Carol Avery Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, made the pitch to Corcoran and Herjavec on behalf of faculty research.
Ridgway’s research focuses on developing products that break down barriers to breastfeeding and kangaroo care, particularly in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). She has two patents pending, including her Clip to Care nursing bra system, which she announced during the Power Forward event.
As an advocate for mothers, Ridgway is passionate about simplifying breastfeeding and kangaroo care for mothers in the NICU. Her dedication is based on her personal experience as a mother. To commemorate the 19 days her son Boone spent in her NICU, Ridgway is partnering with Tallahassee Memorial Health Care (TMH) to help her son Boone from February 1st until her 19th. We carry out annual donation activities. This year marks her fifth annual drive, and Ridgway and her family aim to raise funds to install a new rocking recliner in her NICU at TMH.
“I loved how excited the crowd was and I was able to feed off of their energy,” Ridgway said. “When I had Robert hold a towel under his chin or hold a 10-pound bag of potatoes to mimic the breastfeeding experience, I could tell they were really into my sales pitch. ”
Her favorite moment was when Robert told her, “This was the best presentation ever!”
Established as Tallahassee’s largest annual business gathering, Power Forward attracts nearly 1,000 attendees each year. We offer local businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs, college and high school students a unique opportunity to learn from renowned entrepreneurs. Previous speakers have included Zillow co-founder Spencer Rascoff; Chris Gardner, CEO of Happyness. Peter Diamandis, founder of the XPrize Foundation. Kevin O’Leary from “Shark Tank.” And Chip Conley of Airbnb.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, First Commerce teamed up with FSU to introduce an additional element to the event: a power pitch. This allowed campus entrepreneurs to seek feedback from well-known entrepreneurs. No money or contract was awarded.
Power Pitch was facilitated by Susan Fiorito, dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, a faculty member at FSU since 1990, and an experienced entrepreneur herself. She previously owned multiple retail stores and a wholesale merchandise company. Fiorito has an extensive background in teaching and research at multiple universities and developed modules for her Executive MBA program at the University of Stirling in Scotland.
For more information about the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, visit jimmorancollege.fsu.edu.
For more information about the FSU Office of Research, visit research.fsu.edu.
To learn more about Ridgway Clayton’s fundraising efforts with TMH, visit TMH.org/Boone.
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