Tri-C Fosters Next Generation of Student Entrepreneurs at Pitch Competition

Student finalists benefit from crucial funding and mentorship

CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C^®) celebrated the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of its students at the Student Pitch Competition at the Metropolitan Campus in April. Around 80 participants gathered to watch the entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas.

Hosted by the School of Business, Legal Professions and Hospitality and the Center for Entrepreneurs at Corporate College^®, a division of Tri-C, the event showcased student entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas to a panel of judges. This is the second year of the competition, which is committed to fostering entrepreneurial success and economic mobility of Tri-C students.

Each student received guidance from experienced coaches to refine their presentations and business plans prior to the competition.

Entrepreneurs (with business names in parentheses) and their coaches were:

• Raven Walker (Living for Epilepsy), coached by Derrick L. Williams, Ph.D.
• Jessika Stone (Groomed by Jessika LLC), coached by Holly Craider, Ph.D., J.D.
• Teeana Newell (Loving Me for Me Inc.), coached by Clotea Mack
• Carmen S. Huff (Carmen Simonne Cigars), coached by Bradley Lipinski
• Fallon Greer (Fallon's Fruit Trays), coached by Deonna Taylor, Ed.D.
• Christopher Gillooly (Downhill Audio), coached by Valerie Smart
• Baisat Babalola (Beisor Accessories), coached by Sharnise Sears

Jessika Stone took first place ($5,000 prize); Christopher Gillooly finished in second place ($4,000); Baisat Babalola was third overall ($3,000); Raven Walker placed fourth ($2,000); and Teeana Newell was selected as the fan favorite ($1,000) by attendees. The remaining participants also received $100 toward their business ventures.

The panel of judges included Korin Green, director of the Women's Business Center of Northern Ohio; Camille Heard, director of High Growth Services at JumpStart; and Gary Schoeniger, founder and CEO of the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative Inc.

The event was sponsored by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship's Everyday Entrepreneur Venture Fund.

June 05, 2026

By Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu