Thursday, November 5th, 2015 will mark the reception and celebration for Rising Tide Capital’s 4th annual Start Something Champions Gala. Rising Tide Capital (RTC), a non-profit organization based in New Jersey, assists up-and-coming entrepreneurs in starting and growing successful businesses. The Start Something Challenge (SCC) allows New Jersey entrepreneurs to learn how to utilize marketing tools in order to better promote their businesses, while aiming to inspire New Jersey businesses to grow in a sustainable way.
Alex Forrester, Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer for RTC, is quoted in the SCC promotional video, saying:
“Every business needs two things: customers and capital. And the Start Something Challenge tries to focus on both. Working with entrepreneurs on how to articulate their business idea in a way that can put them out into the marketplace… and compete for the kinds of capital that this competition offers will help them take their business to the next level”.
The grand prize winner of the 2015 SCC, awarded $10,000 , is Omar Ruffin, for his business BiArtè Biker Gear Corp., offering protective footwear for motorcyclists.
In second place, awarded $7,500, is Angela Huggins, who specializes in teaching children how to sew with her business Angel Hugs 4 All.
Coming in third place, and receiving a $5,000 cash prize, is Myani Lawson, who will be using the funds to upgrade the Bergen Lafayette Montessori School.
This is the first time all three award winner have been based out of Jersey City. Jersey City deputy mayor Marcos Vigil, who served as one of the twelve panel judges for the contest, said to the Jersey Journal, “With three of the winners being from Jersey City, I think it really shows the creativity and drive that exists within the city”.
The Gala Honorees will include Kevin Cummings, President and CEO of Investors Bank, awarded “Corporate Entrepreneur of the Year”, alongside Paul Silverman, Principle of SILVERMAN, as “Community Builder of the Year”, and Sheri Sobrato Brisson, Trustee of Sobrato Family Foundation, as winner of the “Entrepreneurial Award for Philanthropy”.
All proceeds from the gala will go towards RTC’s 2015 Community Business Academy Scholarships.
