Jersey City, New Jersey On December 14, 2012, nearly 300 attendees raised at least 60 scholarships to Rising Tide Capital’s Community Business Academy (CBA), at the Start Something Champions Gala at Maritime Parc in Jersey City.
The CBA, Rising Tide Capital’s flagship program, is a 12-week program which provides low-to-moderate income entrepreneurs with training to start and operate a small business.
These scholarships support entrepreneurs like 2009 CBA graduate Moira Brett, who was awarded $10,000 at the gala for winning first place in the Start Something Challenge, a statewide business pitch competition. She was one of 77 entrepreneurs from across the state that entered the Challenge.
“A few years ago, like so many Americans, I lost my job Friends and family thought I was crazy to focus my time and effort on developing [my business] but the visionaries in this room, supported me from the very beginning, long before I made my first sale,” said Brett during the gala.
Brett joined the CBA to see if she could start a business around GreenShave, an organic shaving cream recipe she discovered in 2008. With support from the class and Rising Tide Capital’s on-going coaching and programs she was able to launch her e-commerce business, www.GreenShave.com.
“I could not have afforded the resources and assistance I received, if it were not for [Rising Tide Capital],” said Brett who announced during the gala that she will donate a portion of all sales of GreenShave through December 31 to Rising Tide Capital.
Brett was among ten Challenge finalists who were recognized at the gala. Rising Tide Capital also honored lead sponsors: JPMorgan Chase, Priceline founding member Jeff Hoffman, and Rising Tide Capital’s board chairman Doug Forrester.
“We are very proud to support Rising Tide Capital in assisting aspiring entrepreneurs in their local communities to transform lives, strengthen families and create vibrant and sustainable neighborhoods,” said Dalila Wilson Scott, Executive Director of Global Philanthropy who accepted the award on behalf of JPMorgan Chase.
The Start Something Challenge
The Start Something Challenge is a statewide by Rising Tide Capital and its partners to encourage entrepreneurs, particularly from low-income communities- to activate new business ideas. Participants not only get the chance to win $25,000 in prizes, but also online visibility and valuable feedback from local leaders during a series of live-pitch events. The Challenge is supported by lead sponsors: Jeff Hoffman, a founding member and former CEO of Priceline.com and Chase. PSEG, Citi, Provident Bank, the Tory Burch Foundation, St. Peter’s University, The Star-Ledger, and Pitch Burner are also supporting sponsors.
For more information, visit: www.theStartSomethingChallenge.org.
About the Community Business Academy
Rising Tide Capital’s flagship program, the Community Business Academy (CBA) is an intensive course in basic business management and planning, where entrepreneurs gain hands-on familiarity with the fundamental concepts, tools, and skills needed to plan and run a successful business. Classes are held in Jersey City, Union City, Newark and the City of Orange Township on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings. The Community Business Academy is designed specifically for the start-up entrepreneur with little or no business experience or someone in the process of growing a micro-business. Learn more at Programs.RisingTideCapital.org
