MBI In the News
MBI students actively engage the communities around them. They develop and facilitate multiple activities and workshops on and off campus such as financial literacy workshops, environmental sustainability projects, exploring solutions to ethical dilemmas in business, and establishing programs that aid in the development of success skills for varying audiences. You can learn more about MBI students and their activities by reading selected news stories below:
February 5, 2020 - New Finance Lab
Check out the Bethesda Beat‘s piecenew window about the donation that will support a state-of-the-art finance lab for Montgomery College business students.
April 11, 2018 - Third Annual Raptor Tank a Huge Success!
The Macklin Business Institute (MBI), Montgomery College Enactus, and the Rockville Business Program held the fourth annual Raptor Tank business pitch competition on April 11. Over 200 people were in attendance to watch the culmination of nearly a year's worth of planning by MBI students and MC Rockville Business Faculty, as well as to participate in the Enactus showcase event.
Beginning in October, more than 15 student entrepreneurs submitted business plans for review by a committee of faculty, staff, and students. A group of finalists were chosen to participate in the next round of Raptor Tank, which included bi-weekly meetings and advising on to how refine their business plans. After going through a total of five workshops and a mock presentation round, six of the student businesses were pitched to an expert panel of judges and a live audience on April 11.
Stephen Koda won first prize of $2500 in seed money for his business Rocket Sports, a provider of high quality sports equipment and custom spirit-wear to local high school teams. The second prize of $1,250 went to Aixa Hernandez and her business EDWER, an educational website and app designed to assist local ESOL students achieve success both in and beyond high school. Nathalie Vilson won the $750 third prize for her business, Lily N’Pip, which is creating aprons designed not only for function, but to look stylish while handling every day messes.
There was also an Audience Choice Award, where everyone in attendance could use a SMS text poll to vote for their favorite student business idea. The team of Ryan Baker and Elisa Haddad won the audience choice for their streetwear apparel and visual media brand, Doughnut Shop Collective, earning $500 in seed money.
While the participants in the competition benefitted from the workshops and seed money, Raptor Tank also fulfills the Macklin Business Institute mission of providing experiential learning opportunities for MBI students, especially when there is also a benefit to their community.
“This event is unique because it is student funded and student run, so students are helping students achieve success, with support from faculty and the business community. As a result, all students involved in the program develop an important range of skills through a valuable life experience."
MC Enactus, which is also a MBI program initiative, held a showcase displaying most of their projects so attendees could see how students at our college are using business and entrepreneurial skills to positively impact people on our campus, locally, and even in our global community.