More than 150 ventures have been developed in Emerson College’s year-long E3 program, and more than 30 percent of those have been realized into actual companies — including the popular food truck Roxy's Grilled Cheese and Second Glass, the organization behind Wine Riot. And this year's cohort shows promise—several students, in fact, are already in business. On Friday, at the 10th annual Emerson College Entrepreneurial Expo, 18 student startups will have the chance to show off what they’ve been working on over the past year at the Bill Bordy Theatre. And while presenting their ideas, they’ll compete for a combination of cash and professional services packages, both of which will help them to ultimately launch their companies.
Meanwhile, Andy Miller—chief innovation architect at Waltham-based Constant Contact, who spearheads the company's Small Business Innovation Program—will be the giving a keynote speech on the trials and tribulations of the startup world.
Here are the student businesses that will be showcased (with descriptions from Emerson College):
The Reel Connection — A cohesive, easy to use online platform for independent filmmakers to connect, collaborate, and ultimately forge lasting connection within their industry. (From Jonah Lazowski, Hartford, Connecticut)
PWRtreats — A high protein vegan ice cream that's all natural and better for you. (From Jessica Li, San Jose, California)
PupPlay — An app that helps dogs and dog people make new friends around the neighborhood, dubbed "the Tinder for pups to play." (From Danny Dranoff, Pinecrest, Florida)
Savasana — A local purveyor of raw, artisanal almond milk. (From Danielle Powell, East Brunswick, New Jersey)
Z-Health — Aims to help people with Rheumatoid and OsteoArthritis live a better quality of life through proper exercise. (From Adrian Plotnicoff, Boca Raton, Florida)
Greeks That Speak — Engages college students in crucial conversations about respect, consent and bystander awareness to help change the stereotypes associated with fraternities and sororities today. (From Christian Bergren-Aragon, Glenwood Springs, Colorado; and Christopher Dobens, Lowell, Massachusetts)
Gene’s Food Truck — A quick and affordable way for the people of Boston to enjoy local and fresh fried seafood, and an off-shoot of a family-owned established restaurant in New York State (from Alexia Halsey, Rensselaer, New York)
InTheKnow Social Media Management — Offers full service social media marketing services for Boston's startups, small businesses, and entrepreneurs on a budget. (From Vikki Berezovskaya, Acton, Massachusetts)
Easely — An ambient advertising agency that helps local businesses express brand identity and enhance the urban aesthetic through the sponsorship of public art (sidewalk art). (From Noah Mahrer, New York, New York)
Music-Mine — Helps you to better engage with all forms of music information through a single mobile app that combines together rich content and a simplistic design with data that has been securely and anonymously mined from users to provide the ultimate music experience. (From Nick Stalford, Littleton, Massachusetts)
Centro — A collaborative software program for businesses that provides an effortless internal communication between colleagues with a main goal of minimizing waste of time and to maximizing business efficiency. (From Eda Kazancloglu, Istanbul, Turkey)
Ananas Hostel — An affordable lodging option for young travelers at a highly coveted tourist location in Telluride, Colorado. (From Molly Yakas, Shirley, Massachusetts)
Local JPR — An affordable service for hyperlocal news outlets such as blogs, community websites and forums. We connect local business and services to passionate publishers in the neighborhood. (From David Weiner, Salina, Kansas)
Sugar and Spice — An online baby clothing store giving customers the option to return used clothing in good condition to get SWEETPOINTS to apply toward a discount. We donate the used clothing to parents in need. (From Ilana Cohen, Caracas, Venezuela)
HerLaunch — A unique consulting firm providing premier entrepreneurial education and access to business resources exclusively to low-income women entrepreneurs. (From Manisha Tolani, Turks and Caicos)
Rewild — A one of a kind alteration shop, that re-designs clothing into creative and unique pieces our clients are excited to wear again. (From Sara Graybill, Great Falls, Montana)
2Hats Productions — A Boston-based film company that works with local screenwriters to produce films with accomplished actors and platinum recording artists. (From Ashley Haskell, Boston, Massachusetts)
