Our Innovation Challenge at Marist College on September 14th was an enormous success. Thank you to all who attended! https://vimeo.com/233941688/1ba3a05ba6 We are grateful to Ross Media, who compiled this video footage of the event and to our very own CFO, Marilyn Yerks who captured these images throughout the evening.

The Finalists

The Winners

In the Young Business Category, the winner is Richard Romano of Screamin' Onionz. Presenting a passionate presentation with a thorough go to market strategy and impressive footholds in place to propel his business forward, Screamin' Onionz is the winner of a $1,500 check presented by William A. Smith & Son Insurance as well as other invaluable business services from our prize sponsors that will keep his business safely and smartly scaling as he continues to grow. In the Pre-Venture Business Category, the winner is Danny Gonzalez of Facticiti. The Pre-Venture category was a neck-and-neck race between potentially disruptive technologies. Ultimately, Facticiti presented a strong assessment of the current landscape and the way this unique algorithm could change the way employees and employers search for jobs and candidates. Facticiti is the winner of $1,000 and business services from our prize sponsors. Additionally, the Pre-Venture Business will benefit from the increased exposure and connections to potential investors to spur their momentum.

The Judges

[caption id="attachment_2113" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Garnet Heraman: Managing Director of Investment FuturesNYC, Founder Anvil Ventures and Helene Rude: Director Marist Cloud Computing and Analytic Center[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2114" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Carl Meyer: Think Dutchess Board Chairman and President/CEO T-SEC, DeForest Howland: Business Development Executive at Ralph V Ellis Insurance[/caption]

The Sponsors

We would like to thank our partner sponsor Marist College and our event sponsors Central Hudson, IBM, Key Construction Services, Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union and United Way of Dutchess-Orange Region.  A special thanks to our prize sponsors: Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Judelson, Giordano and Seigel CPA, PC, CUBE (Center for Urban Business Entrepreneurship) at Brooklyn Law, Catskill Hudson Bank and to Tony Fareed of Marist College, Bridge Global Capital Group and 360 Acceleration, and Luke Stangel of Dandelion Energy who provided invaluable coaching and mentorship for our contestants.

The Event

[caption id="attachment_2134" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Innovation Challenge speaker, James Phillips- Associate Dean of the Marist College School of Management[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2131" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Think Dutchess CEO, Sarah Lee Innovation Challenge Prize Sponsor Jack Smith, W.A. Smith & Son Insurance[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2123" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Think Dutchess CEO Sarah Lee and Judge Garnet Heraman of Anvil Ventures[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2117" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Marist students and Innovation Challenge committee member Jay Panteleo of Marist School of Management and the Marist Idea Lab.[/caption]