Calhoun Grads Named Finalists In Business Pitch Competition

Calhoun graduates Zachary Kronstat, Christopher Murphy, and Jeffrey Caso have been selected as finalists in the Second Annual Long Island Young Entrepreneur Challenge (LI YEC).

The challenge is sponsored by FrontStreet Facility Solutions Inc. (FrontStreet), in partnership with Capital One Bank. As finalists, the trio will present a live business pitch to a panel of esteemed judges on May 9 at Capital One Bank offices in Melville.

In applying, the team described its business plan for a science research network that will pair mentors and students with the resources necessary to begin collaborative research efforts. The platform aims to guide the outreach process by streamlining connection and outlining details, such as housing and transportation.

“Through this process, we are learning from our mentor how to best construct business pitches and articulate our thoughts,” Caso said of the team’s experience as finalists. “We are gaining insight into the business world and identifying how to use our limited time to convince the panel that our idea is the next big idea.”

The LI YEC is a business pitch competition, engaging entrepreneurs, ages 17-22, who either live on Long Island or are enrolled as an undergraduate student at an accredited Long Island college or university. Funded through a partnership between FrontStreet and Capital One Bank, finalists compete for a chance to win $10,000 start-up funding, mentorship from a Capital One Bank executive, and other support essential to establishing a business.

“At Capital One Bank, we want to help create jobs, grow small businesses and develop a strong workforce. Supporting the efforts and development of young entrepreneurs is an important part of that because one small business plan can yield a thriving local business – creating jobs and strengthening the local community,” said Michael Minerva, senior vice president at Capital One Bank. “Through our Investing for Good program we continue to support partners like FrontStreet that are driving innovative ways to encourage entrepreneurship, and we are excited that our Capital One bankers will serve as mentors to the competition finalists.”

In addition to introducing their pitches, finalists will also hear from keynote speaker Peter Shankman. Having recently published his third book, “Nice Companies Finish First: Why Cutthroat Management Is Over – and Collaboration Is In,” the entrepreneur and angel investor will share his vast business expertise and provide encouraging insight to the finalists and attendees at the May 9 Awards Reception.