Emerson College held its E3 student enterprise competition Friday, pitting student entrepreneurs against each other in a daylong exposition. A special effects makeup studio aimed at first responders and armed service members stood out from the crowd, taking home $5,000 in a first-place prize. Among the other student startup ideas were pop-up galleries in shipping containers, “leather” made from mushrooms, and non-traditional health education.
The students developed their businesses under the steady guidance of Lu Ann Reeb, assistant dean of Emerson's School of Communication and director of the entrepreneurial studies and business studies program.
"These 18 young entrepreneurs could literally launch their businesses, developed during the E3 program, right away," Reeb said. "It's very inspiring for me, as the one who has spent the most time with them over the past year, since last September, developing their ideas into sustainable businesses. It's wonderful to see all that come together."
Read about the winners below.
Study Bar: a reservation-based cafe designed for students took home the Karl Baeher Memorial Scholarship Award of $1,500. It was founded by visual and media arts student Meredith Roman.
Crate Studio: curates pop-up gallery experiences in retrofitted shipping containers, pairing brands with new media, digital and contemporary artists. The startup, founded by visual and media arts student Cameron Rodenburg, won the Clemens Social Enterprise Scholarship Award of $1,000.
Mu Sock: a grip and mobility sock for physical therapy patients that utilizes increased surface friction to achieve greater stability. Founded by marketing communications student Samantha Reinstein, the enterprise came in third place and won $2,000.
Your Mother Never Told You: a nonprofit that brings non-traditional health education to Massachusetts schools, won second place and $3,000. It was founded by Julia Perry, a business of creative enterprises student.
Dionisio FX: a special effects makeup studio dedicated to better training for first responders and military personnel won first place and $5,000. It was founded by visual and media arts student Daniella Roberge.
Rooted Textiles: this startup produces environmentally friendly, fake leather using mushrooms. Founded by marketing communications student Eileen Polot, this startup tied for the E3 Cohort Entrepreneurial Spirit Award with Honey Blazed, a cannabis-based product that replaces the harmful ingredient of tobacco to be used while smoking hookah. Marketing communications student Grace Woronker founded the enterprise.
