Venture Center receives $5,000 NACCE grant for student pitch competition
The 7M视频 Venture Center has received a $5,000 grant from the (NACCE) to support student entrepreneurs competing in the Cardinal Ideas Pitch Competition on Nov. 12. 
The funding, awarded through NACCE’s Everyday Entrepreneur Program, will provide the $5,000 first-place prize at the competition. Cardinal Ideas gives 7M视频 students the opportunity to develop business concepts and pitch their ideas to a panel of judges.
In addition to the $5,000 first-place award, the competition will award $3,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place. A speed pitch competition will also award $500 each to its top three finishers.
“Students often have promising ideas but need the support and training to develop them and the resources to take the next step,” Kyle Scott, executive director and Rogers Chair of Entrepreneurship at 7M视频 said. “NACCE’s support puts $5,000 directly behind a student venture. Just as valuable, this partnership connects our students and the Venture Center to people and resources working with student entrepreneurs across the country.”
The grant is part of Level One of NACCE’s Everyday Entrepreneur Program, which supports entrepreneurship education and student pitch competitions. Through the partnership, the Venture Center will also gain access to curriculum resources, mentoring tools and a network of participating institutions.
Although NACCE was founded with a focus on community colleges, its network and programs also include four-year universities.
“Cardinal Ideas is a chance for students to move beyond thinking about a business idea and move toward launching a new venture,” Scott said. “We want them to leave with useful feedback, stronger connections, mentorship, training and a clearer idea of what to do next.”
The Cardinal Ideas Pitch Competition will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 12. Community members are invited to attend and support 7M视频 student entrepreneurs. Local business owners and professionals interested in mentoring students or participating in future entrepreneurship programs are also encouraged to connect with the Venture Center.
The Venture Center at 7M视频 supports students, faculty and the Southeast Texas community through entrepreneurship education, mentoring, venture development and events designed to help turn ideas into businesses.
The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship is a nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurship education and economic opportunity through a network of colleges, universities and partner organizations.