Grace MacPherson didn't really expect to win the UTC College of Business Elevator Pitch Competition Wednesday, but as the top winner she walked away with $1,000 to help make her dream become a reality.
The 20-year-old computer science major said the cash prize will allow her to recruit people who can help with product development and marketing for her idea called "DressHer," which would allow girls and women to rent used formal attire, like prom dresses.
"I'm actually shocked," she said. "I just came here to get some more feedback and get some thoughts on it."
Nine students pitched their business ideas - six on the traditional innovation track and three on the social track. Each team had 90 seconds to sell their idea to a panel of judges, which then had three minutes to ask them questions.
Pitches varied in topic from a phone app that would enable college students to directly sell used textbooks to others on campus to a sustainable farm and mill that could process natural fibers into "roving, yarn and luxurious fabric."
The top three winners received cash prizes and free registration to attend a Co.Starters workshop - a nine-week long program that provides resources to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Twenty-five-year-old Christina Maximos, a master of business administration candidate, earned the top prize on the social innovation track for her line of environmentally friendly, allergy-friendly natural skincare products that she hopes to launch by the summer.
Beverly Brockman, the head of the marketing and entrepreneurship department in the UTC College of Business, helped organize the event. While many of the students who participated in the competition were from the College of Business, Brockman said she hopes to attract more students from across campus in the future.
"The students coming from other majors do have a bit of a disadvantage," she said. "They haven't taken the business classes that other students have."
Brockman said the skills gained from participating in the competition are valuable across all fields and not just for those wanting to start their own business some day.
"The sooner [students] can start work on their ventures, the better prepared they are going to be when they graduate regardless of whether they build their own company or work at another venture," she said. "The best way to learn is for them to actually get in there and do it."
Contact staff writer Allison Shirk at ashirk@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6651.