HCC students Cassandra Barnes from Bridgeport won first place and Alek Danilowicz, Stratford, third place in the 2016 Annual Elevator Pitch Competition for Connecticut Community College students.

The competition is sponsored by the Entrepreneurship Foundation and took place at the University of Bridgeport. Competition presenters are limited to 60 seconds maximum to make their “pitch” or oral sales talk. No audiovisual aids are permitted.

Both students offered unique business concepts still in the development stage. Barnes received $250 for a service concept. Danilowicz talked about his useful device and garnered $100. HCC Business Professor Pirog accepted a trophy for the college. The competition is designed to develop and encourage young entrepreneurs and hone the skills required to effectively sell a concept and convince potential funders in the shortest possible time…equated to an elevator ride.

Photo from left to right: Dr. Lloyd Gibson, Dean of the U.B. Ernest C. Trefz School of Business; HCC Business Professor Pamela Pirog, HCC student Cassandra Barnes