In a continuing effort to foster entrepreneurship in Monmouth County, Brookdale Community College recently unveiled the VentureHive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, an initiative in which people team up, get coaching and learn how to be great at starting businesses.
The program was inaugurated at an event called “The Pitch,” where aspiring entrepreneurs presented, in short form, their unique business ideas to a panel of judges and an enthusiastic audience. From tech solutions to pet-friendly fitness centers, the event highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit thriving in the county.
Jackeline Mejias-Fuertes, the driving force behind this initiative and the regional director of the Small Business Development Center at Brookdale, said the program’s mission is to cultivate a culture of collaboration and entrepreneurial mindset crucial for sustainable business development in Monmouth County.
“Our goal is not just for you to take your idea and start a business, our goal is to make sure your business becomes sustainable, contributing to the economic development of our beloved Monmouth County,” she said.
Mejias-Fuertes said the program aims to help inspiring entrepreneurs learn about running a business better and making their sales pitch sharper.
With the VEE at the helm, Brookdale Community College officials feel they are poised to become a leader of entrepreneurial innovation, nurturing the next generation of business leaders in Monmouth County and beyond.
Anticipation builds for Demo Day, where the transformative impact of the accelerator program will be on full display, displaying the evolution of these ventures over 10 weeks. The stakes are high, with participants competing for first, second and third prizes, totaling $4,500 in grant funding, thanks to the generous support of the National Association of Community Colleges and Entrepreneurship.
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