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Republican, The (Springfield, MA)
April 20, 2004
Section: News
Edition: ALL
Page: B04
HOLLY ANGELO STAFF The Republican (Springfield, MA)
hangelo@repub.com Twenty-five entrepreneurs from 12 local colleges will be honored for their innovative business ideas during the first annual awards banquet for Entrepreneurship Initiatives, a segment of the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation. The banquet is scheduled for April 29 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. All 25 students have received monetary awards during the 2003-2004 academic year through the program. "There will be a lot of recognition for students, which is important," said Linda M.L. Peters, program director for the initiative. "The projects are varied. They're simple to involved." The initiative began in September to encourage young people to turn their innovations and creativity into businesses that will produce economic opportunity and growth in the Pioneer Valley. Student entrepreneurs are matched with advisers to help them realize their business dreams. An advisory committee of area entrepreneurs and academics provides additional guidance and consultation. "They're (the students) amazing," Peters said. "A lot of them have ideas and want to be entrepreneurs but had no idea how to go about doing it. Every school has a faculty adviser who helps them through the process." Roger J. Roberge II, a senior marketing communications major at Western New England College in Springfield, used the initiative to help bolster his marketing consulting company, Remagine. He received $2,400, which will cover the operating expenses for his computer server for one year. Remagine provides mostly Web site design and Web hosting facilities. "The grant has really put me in a position to be a major competitor in the game," said Roberge, 21, who graduated from Cathedral High School. "It is very difficult to be a young entrepreneur. When you're just getting started and trying to make a name for yourself, this helps." Jeff Taylor, founder and chief executive officer of Monster.com, will be the keynote speaker at the banquet, which will feature an "Elevator Pitch Competition." Students from each school will compete for $7,000 in monetary awards by pitching a business concept to a panel of judges from area banks. Students will also display information about their businesses or innovations. The foundation was created by real estate mogul Harold Grinspoon years ago. He founded Aspen Square Management, a West Springfield-based company, 45 years ago. ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVES Participating colleges: University of Massachusetts, Hampshire College, Springfield Technical Community College, Springfield College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, Bay Path College, Western New England College, Westfield State College, American International College, Elms College and Holyoke Community College. Student award recipients: Alex Cohen, Daniel Roy and J. Ryan Sobol, UMass; John Fijalkowski, Mariya Ostropolets, Tammy Curtis, Nataliya Ostropolets and David Hart, Westfield State College; Anne Jurkowski and Diana Chen, Smith College; Jessica Gibbs and Sara Borden, Bay Path College; Josh Kerson, Hampshire College; Glen Carlson, Wes Downey and Blondell McNair, Springfield Technical Community College; Carolyn Rogers, Matthew Rex, Monnette Martin, Charles Kiablick and Shawn Holt, Elms College; Susan Kornacki and Maryann Marshman, Springfield College; Roger Roberge and Steven Nasiatka, Western New England College.
Copyright, 2004, The Republican Company, Springfield, MA. All Rights Reserved. Used by NewsBank with Permission.