Reminder that the first Speaker Series and event of the semester is tomorrow, Wednesday March 2 during free-hour. We look forward to seeing you there!

You hear a lot about the Start-Up process, but how do successful people make it happen?  Get the real scoop from Greg Vetter whose products can be found on the shelves of Costco, Whole Foods and others.

Join us tomorrow, March 2, from 12 – 1 pm in University Center 310 to hear Greg talk about his experiences creating and building his company, Tessemae’s All Natural, and how he made it onto Inc’s 35 under 35 list!

Event Description: 

Come listen to Greg discuss his unique story in becoming the fastest growing condiment company in the United States and the various difficulties he went through to achieve this. This includes start up funding, specifically the economic challenges Tessemae's All Natural faced during their initial commencement and the methods they employed to overcome them. Greg will also discuss creating a viable company culture and behavior, and how fundamental these two things are in building a flourishing company. Lastly, he will focus on how to create a socially conscious brand; specifically how he made his company and products strongly appeal to consumers moving towards healthier diets and seeking "all natural products".

About Greg:

Greg is the founder and oldest of the three brothers running Tessemae's All Natural. In the span of five years, Tessemae's has become the No. 1 selling fresh condiment company in Whole Foods, Safeway, and Costco. Along with growing success at the register, Greg and his brothers recently were recognized in Inc's "35 Under 35" list for 2015 and won the Readers' Choice Award for top entrepreneurial company in 2014. Greg and Tessemae's are regarded as the leading instigators in the clean eating movement.

The International Light City Festival is coming to Baltimore for the first time ever!

The week-long LightCityU will take place between March 28 - April 3 throughout the city of Baltimore. The week will be filled with concerts, art showcases, conferences, key-note speakers, workshops and of course, lights!

This year, UMBC is sponsoring the LightCityU conferences, and President Freeman Hrabowski will be a keynote speaker during the Social Innovation conference. 

If you're interested in volunteering (free meals included) and would like to be a part of something amazing, please contact Thomas Moore at tmoore@umbc.edu. 

To review the LightCityU schedule click here.

About LightCityU:

In 1816, Baltimore was the first American city to illuminate its streets with gas lanterns, revolutionizing the urban landscape forever by transforming the city with light.

200 years later, Light City Baltimore -- a festival of art, music and innovation -- will paint Baltimore with light, and illuminate the world with ideas from the brightest thinkers.

Premiering in 2016, Light City Baltimore is the first large-scale international light festival in the United States, homegrown right here in Baltimore. Light City will provide a backdrop for the celebration of ideas, ingenuity and creativity through art, music and innovation. 

Light City will shine a light on Baltimore's abundance of creative, cutting-edge, multi-disciplinary talent, and we welcome participants from across the globe to join us. 

Light City's innovation program will generate an ecosystem of ideas and learning during the day --while lights, performances and live music re-imagine the Inner Harbor at night. Festival is open from 7pm-11pm March 28 - March 31, 7pm-12am April 1-April 2, and 7pm-11pm on April 3. 

The due date for applications for the Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition is fast approaching! 

If you're interested in launching a business or idea, but need funding, feedback and awareness, this opportunity is for you. You can win up to $5,000; all you need to do is apply now! 

Register Here

What is the Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition (CBIC)? 

CBIC is an opportunity for UMBC graduate and undergraduate students who aspire to fulfill entrepreneurial pursuits. Participants will experience the process of planning a startup business by submitting a competitive and realistic 3-5 page business plan and qualifiers will present their idea in a final competition. 

NOTE: the CBIC requires that technology (mobile, web, etc), be a focus of your startup idea. 

Who should participate? 

Any UMBC student (full or part time, graduate or undergraduate) with a dream, of launching his or her own business and who plans on actively pursuing that dream. 

Why participate? 

The CBIC is a next level competition designed to give aspiring entrepreneurs a real-life opportunity to experience every aspect of launching a startup. The competition will pair you with business mentors from the community and will give you practice presenting your idea to a panel of experts. It will also provide "real world" experience and helpful feedback. In addition to mentorship from real world experts, the program is also designed to connect students to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

Winners also get seed funding for their businesses, and support from our sponsors including: 

·         Free legal services

·         Accounting advice 

·         Membership at the award winning Betamore campus in Federal Hill 

·         Fundraising advice & pitch practice with member of the Baltimore Angels 

Prizes: 

First Prize = $5,000

Second Prize = $2,000

Third Prize = $1,000

We are happy to announce that ART 319 - Space and Place in Public Art and Urbanism, is now an approved course in the ENTR Minor!