To that end, we’re sharing a registration link to join NJBIA for a webinar designed to help small businesses understand the Federal CARES Act Payroll Protection Program.��

Join NJBIA:��Understanding the Federal CARES Act Payroll Protection Program

Friday, April 3rd��@ 11 am��

To that end, we’re sharing , introduced by the NJEDA on March 26th.

We’ve highlighted 3 new programs assisting New Jersey Main Street businesses and entrepreneurs now.

#1 / Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program

What is it?

A $5 million program that will provide grants up to $5,000 to small businesses in retail, arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, food service, and other services – such as repair, maintenance, personal, and laundry services – to stabilize their operations and reduce the need for layoffs or furloughs.

The Details:

The Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program will provide up to $5,000 to NJ-based SMEs that have between 1–10 full time equivalent employees (“FTE”). The grant funding is targeted as unrestricted payroll and working capital support, and cannot be used for any capital expenses, including construction.

Grant values are calculated at $1,000 per FTEs reported on business’ WR-30 filed with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

• Minimum grant amount (per application): $1,000
• Maximum grant amount (per application): $5,000

Total available funding of up to $5 million of which $3 million of the program funds will be set aside for SMEs with 5 or fewer FTEs.

• Non-profit organizations are eligible for this program. Eligible non-profits must have status of 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(7)

#2 / Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program

What is it?

A $10 million program that will provide working capital loans of up to $100,000 to businesses with less than $5 million in revenues. Loans made through the program will have ten-year terms with zero percent for the first five years, then resetting to the EDA’s prevailing floor rate (capped at 3.00%) for the remaining five years.

The Details:

The Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan program is designed to provide a direct loan of up to $100,000 to NJ-based small businesses and non-profits organizations that have been in existence for at least one-year and has less than $5 million in annual revenue. These businesses have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak (including, but not limited to: reduction of business hours, complete closure of business, at least a 20% decline in revenue, employees unable to work, required to close by government, or disruption of supply chain).

Your organization is eligible for the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program if you…

• Have a physical commercial location in the State of NJ. Home-based businesses are not eligible for this program
• Have been in existence for at least one year
• Have less than $5M annual revenue
• Can show a global debt service coverage ratio of 1.00 (as of December 31st, 2019)
• Are able to demonstrate negative impact related to COVID-19 on or after March 9th, 2020
• Are registered to do business in the State of NJ
• Must certify that the company is in good tax standing with the State
• Are in good standing with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, with all decisions of good standing at the discretion of the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development
• Are able to provide a CEO certification that the firm will make its best-effort to not lay off employees or will re-hire employees as soon as possible
• Non-profit organizations are eligible for this program; eligible non-profits must have status of 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(7)

#3 / NJ Entrepreneur Support Program

What is it?

A $5 million program that will encourage continued capital flows to new companies, often in the innovation economy, and temporarily support a shaky market by providing 80 percent loan guarantees for working capital loans to entrepreneurs.

The Details:

The NJ Entrepreneurship Guarantee Program is a $5 million program that encourages investment by encouraging private sector investors to provide additional working capital loans to NJ-based entrepreneurial businesses in which the investor is already an equity holder. The program provides a guarantee of an investor loan advanced for working capital to an entrepreneurial company that has been impacted by COVID-19. The investment must have been made after the date of emergency (March 9, 2020, as per the Governor’s Executive Order 103). This program will be retroactive to that date.

NJEDA will guarantee up to 80% of the total investment amount, not to exceed $200,000 per NJ entrepreneurial company.

The eligibility requirements for the startup and the investor are as follows:

The entrepreneurial business must:

• Have a minimum of 50% of employees in NJ
• Have less than 25 total employees at the time of application
• Have under $5 million in revenues
• Have corporate headquarters in New Jersey (including at least one C suite member with a principal office in New Jersey)
• Fall under one of the eight sectors outlined in Governor Murphy’s economic plan (advanced manufacturing, information/technology, life sciences, finance and insurance, clean energy, food and beverage, advanced transportation, food and beverage, film and digital media)
• Be registered to do business in NJ and must certify that the company is in good tax standing with the State
• Be in good standing with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Eligibility:

• Investors can include, but are not limited to, individuals, trusts, and corporations
• Investors must already have equity interest and equity position in the company
• Qualified investors are not required to be New Jersey residents

Here is a list of our community members and how they are continuing to serve the community:

Absolute Zero Ice Cream – Open takeout 1-8 p.m.
410 Bloomfield Ave
862-213-3748

Adventure Kitchen – Deliveries only
26 S Park Ave
201-960-1323

Ah’Pizz- 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
7 North Willow Street
973-783-9200

Aozora European- Takeout delivery from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
407 Bloomfield Ave
973-233-9400

Bare Burger- Noon – 8 p.m. delivery and takeout
480 Bloomfield Ave
973-509-2273

Belgiovine Italian Deli- Open 8 a.m. -6 p.m., Daily
714 Bloomfield Ave
973-744-2221

Beyond Pita- Open til 9 p.m. Takeout. Delivery only for larger groups
82 Church St A
973-744-2115

Broughton Grill- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Delivery and takeout
712 Bloomfield Ave
973-744-4402

Cafe Giotto- Dinner specials/pick up or delivery
42 Church St.
973-746-0111

Caribbean Grill- Open daily
343 Bloomfield Ave
973-783-7227

Chatni- Takeout/delivery 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
381 Bloomfield Ave
973-337-5753

Crockett’s Fish Fry- Til 8 p.m. takeout only
162 Bloomfield Ave
973-746-2114

Cuban Pete’s- Takeout 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
428 Bloomfield Ave
973-746-1100

Elyssia’s Kitchen- Open til 8 p.m. Take out & Grub Hub
190 Bloomfield Ave
973-337-5340

Empanada or Nada- Pick up in store, delivery through Grub Hub
454 Bloomfield Ave
862-283-3993

Fascino- Takeout and delivery
331 Bloomfield Ave
973-233-0350

Faubourg- Takeout orders via phone and RESY app
544 Bloomfield Ave
973-542-7700

Fiamella- Regular takeout hours
558 Bloomfield Ave
862-333-4135

Fresco da Franco- Takeout with delivery
15 Church Street
973-337-5100

Gelotti of Essex- 2 p.m.- 8 p.m.
571 Bloomfield Ave
973-509-1607

Gong Cha- 12 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
343 Bloomfield Ave
609-524-3760

Greek Taverna- 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Takeout and delivery
292 Bloomfield Ave Fl 1
973-746-2280

Greenleaf’s Eclectic Café- Open until 3 p.m.
397 Bloomfield Ave
973-744-2002

Jack’s Seafood Shack- 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Delivery and Takeout
718 Bloomfield Ave
973-893-5283

Java Love- Curbside pickup 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
49 Church Street
Bellevue: 973 744 2122, Church St: 973 744 2323

Just Jake’s- Noon – 8 p.m. takeout
30 Park Street
973-655-8987

Kai Yang- Takeout and delivery 3- 8 p.m.
345 Bloomfield Ave
973-509-2110

Kung Fu Tea- Delivery and takeout til 8 p.m.
375 Bloomfield Ave
973-744-1647

Laboratorio Kitchen- Takeout, home delivery and Door Dash, 2-7 p.m.
615 Bloomfield Ave
973-746-6100

Le French Dad Boulangerie- Baking large loaves available for order, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
10 Church Street
973-746-0288

Let’s Yo- 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
31 Valley Road
973-337-8451

Local Coffee- M-F 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Sat: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sun 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
107 Watchung Ave.
917-406-0464

Manhattan Juice Bar- Open for takeout until 8 p.m.
212 Glenridge Ave
973-744-4100

Mish Mish- 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Take out
215 Glenridge Ave
973- 337-5648

Montclair House Grill- 9 a.m.- 8 p.m.
12 Church Street
973-509-9600

Montclair Vegan- Open for takeout and delivery
10 Park Street
862-217-7855

New Jin Lin Chinese Food- Open til 8 p.m. Delivery and takeout.
350 Bloomfield Ave
973- 746-8811

Noches de Colombia- 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
19 Elm Street
973-744-3363

Nori- Online payment for delivery
561 Bloomfield
973-655-8805

Osteria Rocco- Open noon- 7:45 p.m. for delivery or take out
21 Midland Ave.
973-746-0707

Palazzo Bistro- 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
11 S. Fullerton Ave
973-746-6778

Playa Bowls- Open takeout 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
28 S Park St
973-337-8162

Plum Bakery- Call before 11 a.m. for delivery. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
179 Glenridge Ave
973-509-7586

Proven Poke- 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
19 Church Street
973-860-7229

Raymond’s- 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Takeout/Delivery
10 Park Street
973-744-9263

Royal Bagels- 6 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.
560 Bloomfield Ave
973- 655-1414

Salute- 12-8 p.m. Delivery and takeout.
173 Glenridge Ave
973-746-2380

Samba- 12-8 p.m. Delivery and takeout.
7 Park St
973-744-6764

Sushi Hana- 12 p.m. – 10 p.m., except Tuesday
5 N Fullerton
973-746-3900

Tacoria- Open 11:30 a.m- 8 p.m. Takeout and delivery.
367 Bloomfield Ave
973-893-5220

Toast- 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. Delivery and takeout.
700 Bloomfield Ave
973-509-8099

Trend Coffee and Tea- Open for takeout from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
411 Bloomfield Avenue
973-744-1333

Uncle Momo- 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Takeout and delivery.
702 Bloomfield Ave
973-233-9500

Villa Victoria- Takeout and delivery
11 Park Street
973-509-8099

Thanks to Montclair BID for all information.

, a former digital media executive and founder of iFundWomen, has been appointed the first-ever Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) at ����vlog. As part of our center, Cahn will mentor our students, including winners of the Startup Montclair 2020 pitch contest set to take place in late April/early May, as well as advise the University’s Feliciano School of Business and Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation executive director. We are excited for Karen to share her expertise, insights, and wisdom to the Center and business school.

iFundWomen is a startup funding platform designed specifically for female entrepreneurs, providing access to capital, coaching, creative, connections, and community critical to launching and growing better businesses.

In the past, Cahn has worked as an early digital media executive at companies like Google, YouTube and AOL.

The University received a quote from Karen which stated that, “The entrepreneurial spirit is ALIVE in New Jersey, and I’m so thrilled to be a part of it, and with the Feliciano Center’s commitment to women entrepreneurship, this was a natural partnership with iFundWomen.”

The Center’s Director, Carley Graham Garcia stated that, “Karen’s focus is exclusively on closing the funding gap for female founders. She is focused on growing our region to be an innovation hub, especially innovation led by women. And as a Montclair resident since 2005, Karen loves and actively supports our vibrant community. She is the perfect addition to our expanding program.”

Cahn spoke and inspired many at our 2018 Women Entrepreneurship Week Conference, we are excited to have her on board!

Caesar received the award May 8 during the ��The 2018 winner, Olivia Hettman, presented the prize to Caesar and spoke about what the opportunity of receiving the prize last year meant to her.

Alicia-Ann Caesar, left, receives the $5,000 award from the 2018 winner, Olivia Hettman. (Photo by Aaron Houston)

When Caesar was asked what the prize meant, she stated, “I am extremely grateful to have been selected this year’s Promise Prize Scholar. Once I found out the criteria for the nomination I became overwhelmed at just the idea that one of my professors would nominate me. I plan to fully engage with the Change Create Transform Foundation, the Montclair State faculty committee, especially Professor Taylor the program’s new academic advisor, and the previous winners in the area. I am inspired to work harder for myself to get to a place to support others. Marie Nesbitt’s story and legacy is an inspiration. The opportunity to learn from her granddaughter, the Foundation’s founder Ms. Vikki Pryor, and be mentored by outstanding community members is exciting and not an opportunity I plan to waste. I am honored.”

Caesar is an MBA student with a Master’s in Public Administration, Nonprofit Management from Kean University, and a Bachelor’s of Art in History from The College of New Jersey. When asked why she is pursuing an MBA, Alicia-Ann quickly answered, “Because it’s time for me to be a CEO.” That gives a glimpse of the drive, passion and enthusiasm of Caesar. Besides the cash, the students selected for the prestigious award become part of a network established by the prize’s sponsor, the Change Create Transform Foundation.

Caesar is also the Director of Quality Improvement, Risk Management and Training at Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey. She also has a strong interest in women empowerment, and is very active with community service. Alicia-Ann is from Liberia, and is mulling starting a business someday to sell Liberian spices/sauces. She calls herself a “secret farmer” because of the volunteer work she does with community gardening.

Alicia-Ann Caesar speaks during the Promise Prize ceremony. (Photo by Aaron Houston)

Past winners of the Promise Prize are:

• 2014: Alanda Alexandre, who has two degrees from Montclair State, a Business Administration degree with concentrations in Finance and Management, and an MBA degree.
• 2015 winner: Dana LaCondre-Nugent who has a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Accounting from Montclair State.
• 2016 winner: Stanley Fils, who majored in Justice Studies at Montclair State and then obtained an MBA degree from the university
• 2017 winner: Kishawn Jean-Pierre, graduated as an accounting major.
• 2018 winner: Olivia Hettman, who is graduating this May and obtaining her MBA in the fall.

From left: Sharon Waters, Dennis Bone,��Agatha Jeffers,��Faith Taylor, Olivia Hettman (2018 winner),��Devon Johnson, Alicia-Ann Caesar (2019 winner), Mariah Mayers, Hermann Sintim-Aboagye.

The 2019 selection committee included staff from the Feliciano School of Business: Agatha Jeffers, Accounting professor; Devon Johnson, Marketing professor; Mariah Mayers, assistant director of Career Services; Hermann Sintim-Aboagye, Finance Professor; Faith Taylor, Marketing professor; and Sharon Waters, interim director of the Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship.

The 2019 UPitchNJ prizes were awarded to:

First – Stevens (game-based software to help autistic students)
Second – Rutgers (tech to power drones and rovers for deliveries)
Third – Montclair State (3D-printed device to hold hooks while fishing)
Best Early-Stage Startup –��Princeton��(a water filter being used in a pilot program in Flint, MI)

The other eight schools that competed were: Fairleigh Dickinson, Monmouth, NJIT, Ramapo,��Rider, Rowan, Seton Hall, William Paterson.

Montclair State remains the only school that has won a prize every year in the contest–a testament to the innovative and forward-looking curriculum designed by Dennis Bone that allows us to enter consistently high-quality and interdisciplinary teams every year. Prof. Ross Malaga taught and mentored Morgan and Siegmeister in ENTR 303, and Profs. Jason Frasca and Iain Kerr spent many hours working with the two students as they iterated on 3D print designs of their device in the MIX Lab (the MIX Lab is a resource for any student).��Morgan’s and Siegmeister’s path to UPitchNJ glory began in Jason Frasca’s classroom when they took ENTR 201 “Entrepreneurial Mindset and Innovation,” which is open to any student of any major.

“To be chosen to represent ����vlog was humbling,” said Morgan. “Placing third out of all the other schools was a true statement to us as a team that our product has great potential in the future. Outstanding competition at UPitchNJ, and the atmosphere was energizing.”

Watch TacOp, and 13 other Montclair State teams, compete for $80,000 in prizes on May 8 in University Hall Conference Center during Montclair State’s sixth annual pitch contest, the BulbHead Inventors Day for Aspiring Entrepreneurs,��generously funded by AJ Khubani, founder of TeleBrands and BulbHead.

How Montclair State has placed every year of the UPitchNJ contest:

2019:
First: Stevens
Second: Rutgers
Third: Montclair State (TacOp)
Best Early-Stage Startup:��Princeton
Audience Choice Award: Seton Hall

2018:
First: Rutgers
Second: NJIT
Third: Montclair State (NeatSweeps)
Best Early-Stage Startup:��Rider��University
Audience Choice Award:��Montclair State (NeatSweeps)

2017:
First: Rutgers
Second: Princeton
Third: Seton Hall
Best Early Stage Startup: Montclair State (Elaion)
Audience Choice: FDU

2016:
First:��Princeton
Second: Seton Hall
Third: Montclair State (Karuda)

Last night the ����vlog’s Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship in partnership with Health Promotion ran an event focusing on Women’s Sexual Health. The title of the event, “Orgasmic Leadership” peaked many student’s interests as they were not used to seeing titles containing sexual language. Our guest speaker for the night was Rachel Braun Scherl, co-founder of and author of��

This event was interesting for students because some of the topics brought up are considered to be taboo to talk about amongst friends, family or the people in your community. Rachel started by telling the audience that she refers to herself as a “vagipreneur,” and at that moment you could pan the room of students and see the excited looks on their faces to listen to what she had to say.

It was interesting to hear Rachel’s struggling journey to get her product (a product similar to viagra made specifically for women) to shelves. She spoke about being a woman in the industry and how that was a struggle in itself, but also how she was able to be taken seriously with an “out there” product. It took time, but Rachel eventually was able to come up with how to break into the industry and receive support for her product. This event was very inspirational for young women to hear as they are preparing to get into their own careers and building the confidence to do so.

Rachel brought along with her guests, Amy Buckalter (founder and CEO of Pulse) and Dr. Alyssa Dweck (gynecologist and author). Both were essential to the conversation about how to be okay with talking about women’s sexual health, why it is important to have these discussions and why there is a need for the types of products they sell.

Amy spoke about her products on����which consist of��a new revolutionary product with patented technology invented to dramatically improve the delivery of “goops” – lotions, gels, creams, oils, lubricants, and other liquid or fluid consistencies within the health and beauty space.

We heard directly from students that they enjoyed having Dr. Dweck there to immediately provide positive medical feedback for the ingredients that were going into Amy’s and Rachel’s products. The conversation really brought awareness to the harmful ingredients found in some women’s sexual health products and what to look out for. From a business perspective, it was a great opportunity to learn about how to handle situations or topics in which not everyone may be on board or ready to talk about, but how we are making strides each and every day and can overcome the taboo talk and turn it into a serious conversation.

Alyssa Tenore is a current MBA student at ����vlog working in the Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship. Alyssa received her Bachelors Degree in marketing from ����vlog.��

The award.

Vikki Pryor, the founder of Change Create Transform, presented the award to Dennis Bone,��founding director of the Feliciano Center.��Bone was the keynote speaker at the annual summit, and spoke about his journey from humble roots in West Virginia to highly respected business leader in New Jersey.

Bone speaks to the crowd.

Montclair State attendees at the summit included the university’s Promise Prize winners: Olivia Hettman (2018), Kishawn Jean-Pierre (2017), Dana LaCondre-Nugent (2015) and Alanda Alexandre (2014). Stanley Fils is the 2016 winner. Also present at the summit were faculty advisor Agatha Jeffers and Feliciano Center program manager Sharon Waters.

From left: Bone, LaCondre-Nugent, Hettman, Jean-Pierre, Alexandre, Jeffers and Waters.

The foundation, and Promise Prize��award, was created by Vikki Pryor to honor her grandmother Marie Nesbitt, who was a great-granddaughter of slaves and held jobs ranging from domestic worker to welder.

The foundation, and award, was created by Vikki Pryor to honor her grandmother Marie Nesbitt, who was a great-granddaughter of slaves and held jobs ranging from domestic worker to welder.

“I’m really, really thrilled and ecstatic about the opportunity to participate in the Change Create Transform Foundation,” said Hettman. “I’m really grateful for Vikki Pryor, and that she based it off her grandmother. Knowing what her grandmother’s family went through, and to honor her and be inspired by her, is a really awesome thing to do.”

The Promise Prize is awarded each year to a black entrepreneurship or business student with the following traits: academic excellence (high GPA), leadership, scholarship, initiative, service and entrepreneurship. Montclair State is one of in the U.S. with the award.

Hettman received the award May 2 during the , which attracted nearly 300 attendees. The 2017 winner, Kishawn Jean-Pierre, spoke briefly before presenting the award to Hettman. Jean-Pierre shared an anecdote about how Pryor gave him advice last summer, during an annual summit for Promise Prize scholars, that led him to shoot higher when deciding on his career path after college. Jean-Pierre followed the advice, and will be working for KPMG after graduating in May.

The story had an impact on Hettman, making her realize the power of the Promise Prize network.

“I thought it was an exciting opportunity, being able to network with somebody, like Vikki, who cares so much about other people, and helping others,” said Hettman. “To see that he was able to take the gift he was given, and turn it into a position at the place he’s going to, shows this was a blessing for him, and could be also for me. I think it’s really cool how he took the experience of this and ran with it; he didn’t just let it go.”

Olivia Hettman speaks during the ceremony, with Kishawn Jean-Pierre behind her.

Hettman also completed the Feliciano Center’s��Certificate of Entrepreneurship this semester, and took classes with some of the students who were pitching in the BulbHead Inventors Day for Aspiring Entrepreneurs contest. Hettman said it was an added joy to see her classmates participating in the contest, and then later on see some of them on stage as winners.

Hettman has a 3.68 GPA, and has exhibited leadership through a variety of positions. She was a Student Government Association senator, and then elected to be President Pro Tempore at County College of Morris, which she attended before transferring to Montclair State. She has been Vice President of New Social Engine and Secretary of the Fashion Club at CCM. At Montclair State, she has earned the Leadership Development Certification and is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. She has done all of this while also holding down part-time jobs.

After volunteering at a homeless shelter, Hettman set a career goal to start an organization or fund that will invest in nonprofits that help the homeless.

A big crowd attended the ceremony.

Past winners of the Promise Prize are:

• 2014: Alanda Alexandre, who has two degrees from Montclair State, a Business Administration degree with concentrations in Finance and Management, and an MBA degree;
• 2015 winner: Dana LaCondre-Nugent who has a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Accounting from Montclair State.
• 2016 winner: Stanley Fils, who majored in Justice Studies at Montclair State and then obtained an MBA degree from the university
• 2017 winner: Kishawn Jean-Pierre, who is now a senior accounting major.

Olivia Hettman, center, with, from left: Sharon Waters, Dennis Bone, Mariah Mayers, Stanley Fils (2016 winner), Kishawn Jean-Pierre, Agatha Jeffers, Devon Johnson.

The 2018 selection committee included staff from the Feliciano School of Business: Agatha Jeffers, Accounting professor; Devon Johnson, Marketing professor; Mariah Mayers, assistant director of Career Services; Hermann Sintim, Finance professor; and Sharon Waters, program manager of the Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship.

Sirawar Matin, a sophomore Athletic Training major, and Iffat Siddiqi, a junior Computer Science major, won third place in the contest with a $500 prize. Their team was NeatSweeps, and they invented specialized slippers that use augmented reality and interactive games to entice children to move more.

Matin and Siddiqi, who are EOF Scholars at the university, also won the Audience Choice Award, which included a $100 gift card. The students were taught and mentored by as they completed the Feliciano Center’s .

Montclair State is the only school to win a prize every year in the contest.

Watch NeatSweeps, and 13 other Montclair State teams, compete for $80,000 in prizes on May 2 in Montclair State’s fifth annual pitch contest, the , generously funded by AJ Khubani, founder of TeleBrands and BulbHead.

Iffat Siddiqi explains NeatSweeps to the UPitchNJ judges.

Winning the first-place $2,000 prize, which was sponsored by PNC Bank, was Rutgers’ team, LivingWaters. The second-place winner for $1,000 was League of Lifeguards, NJIT’s team. The Best Early-Stage Startup award, for $1,000, went to Dowie Corp, a team from Rider University.

The event was held April 20 at ����vlog. Princeton and Rutgers universities hosted the contest in prior years.

The competition is sponsored by the New Jersey Collegiate Entrepreneurship Consortium, which represents the entrepreneurship education programs at New Jersey’s four-year colleges and universities. Fourteen universities competed in the third annual competition: Drew University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Monmouth University, ����vlog,��New Jersey Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Ramapo College, Rider University, Rowan University, Rutgers University, Saint Peter’s University, Seton Hall University, Stevens Institute of Technology, and William Paterson University.

Sirawar Matin holds a prototype of the slippers during their pitch.

Judging the students’ pitches were: , founder & CEO of InCharged; , CEO of Futurestay; , founder & CEO of latinoTech; , tax partner at EY; and , editor-at-large at Inc.com.

, managing partner, Newark Venture Partners, delivered opening remarks, after Dennis Bone, director of the Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship at Montclair State, and , director of Seton Hall’s entrepreneurship center, welcomed the crowd.

“UPitchNJ showcases the best and brightest young entrepreneurs from all over the Garden State,” said Bone. “When a company decides to relocate to New Jersey or remain in the state, one of their top criteria is the Garden State’s well-educated workforce, especially people who possess innovative problem-solving skills. These students are excellent examples of that.”

Each university sent a student team that has launched a startup or a new venture in development to compete for the prizes. Student teams were judged on the innovativeness and originality of their startup idea, and the quality of a written executive summary and oral presentations. The contest judges also looked for creative and innovative thinking about markets, products and services. The teams were evaluated on their perceived ability to execute the idea and turn it into a viable, profitable business, and/or venture with significant social value.

The competition’s aim is to highlight the ingenuity and creativity of today’s college entrepreneurs, whom are increasingly launching businesses from their dorm rooms. The contest also gives the entrepreneurial students the opportunity to network with other students, mentors and potential investors.

Many of the student teams, the judges, and the organizers gather on stage after the contest.

The prizes included coaching sessions, as well as cash:

First place (sponsored by PNC Bank): $2,000 award plus��Coaching Session with Mario Casabona, founder, TechLaunch; Coaching Session with David Sorin, McCarter & English.

Second��place: $1,000 plus Coaching Session with the NJ Innovation Institute at NJIT; Coaching Session with NJ Tech Council.

Third place: $500 plus Coaching Session with entrepreneur David Stengle, Startup Grind.

Best Early-Stage Startup:��$1,000 Plus��Coaching Session with entrepreneur Greg Olsen, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Princeton University. This prize is for an innovative idea that is in an earlier stage of development.

Audience Choice Award: $100 gift card.

Besides the sponsorship of first-place prize, the event’s other supporters include , , , , , , , and .