Jamiri Flint - 1st Place Winner
Jamiri Flint, a seasoned entrepreneur and sales/marketing student passionate about cultural exploration and innovation, founded DIEGO. With a strong background in leadership roles at Xavier University of Louisiana and a focus on community empowerment, Jamiri is driven to create impactful solutions.
Jamiri showcased his travel app, DIEGO, designed to facilitate cultural immersion for all travelers. Using Henrietta, a university student planning a study abroad trip to Japan, as an example, Jamiri highlighted the anxiety and unfamiliarity with local customs that can hinder travel experiences. DIEGO, with its unique features such as culture education, language translation, local insights, and travel booking services, empowers Henrietta and others to feel confident and prepared, setting it apart from other travel apps.
With the expanding travel market and rising number of study-abroad students, DIEGO's business model includes diverse revenue streams and educational institution collaborations. In just over a month and a half, the team has amassed 500 followers and seeks $500,000 in funding for development, marketing, and operations to expand the business. Jamiri emphasizes the importance of cultural understanding and respect for all travelers and appeals for both financial and moral support.
Ari’Anna Redmond - 2nd Place Winner
Ari'Anna Redmond, a junior at Bowie State University on a pre-medical track, founded Tony's Kitchen and Bakery. This venture is not just a business for her, but a heartfelt tribute to her late father, Tony, who taught her to cook.
Inspired by his love for food and his teachings, Ari'Anna established the bakery as an ode to her father's legacy. Tony's Kitchen and Bakery is an inclusive food tech company that creates allergy-friendly baked goods for those with dietary restrictions or allergies.
Having witnessed countless customers denied desserts due to their conditions, she aimed to offer great-tasting options for the approximately 32.1% of Americans (200 million) with food allergies or restrictions. This large and growing market presents a significant opportunity for Tony's Kitchen and Bakery to expand and serve a wider customer base.
With a mission to serve this demographic, Tony's Kitchen and Bakery provides vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free options using food science technology and customer partnerships. Operating in a nut-free kitchen and utilizing edible ink for custom orders, Ari'Anna seeks $500,000 to expand her business nationwide, including building a commercial kitchen with a teaching space and a mobile truck. Her team, consisting of mentors and family members, aims to bridge the gap in the food community and tell customers' stories through their desserts.
Vinsha Torain - 3rd Place Winner
Vinsha Torain, a senior at Winston-Salem State University majoring in Healthcare Management and minoring in Accounting, is the co-owner of Torain Ranch. A third-generation Black-owned horseback riding business established in Salisbury, North Carolina, in 2019, Torain Ranch is dedicated to creating an inclusive space where all individuals can thrive and excel in horsemanship and the trail ride world. The ranch offers various equestrian services, including horseback rides, lessons, and guided trail rides.
In addition to equestrian services, Torain Ranch also offers line dance classes and a deluxe event package that includes the use of the venue, horseback rides, and line dance instruction. They utilize word-of-mouth, personal networks, and print and digital marketing to market. In 2023, the business was featured in National Geographic magazine, a significant achievement that demonstrates the quality and appeal of Torain Ranch to potential customers and investors.
Vinsha emphasized the importance of authenticity and diversity in the horseback riding community. The ranch offers inclusive spaces for individuals to thrive and excel in horsemanship. Torain's favorite activity at the ranch is guided trail rides, which began when local daycare children visited the property. Torain is seeking $250,000 in funding for website development, round pen repairs, purchasing new training horses, and updated trailers to continue to scale their business.
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