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Victoria Thomas '20, a second-year biology student minoring in business and chemistry at ¹ú²úÓ´Ó´, has been selected as a winner of the 2018 Grinspoon Entrepreneurship Initiative Award. Thomas received one of three grand prizes at the 2018 Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Banquet and Awards Ceremony for her pitch, “MicroBuddy.”

Fifteen million Americans today have food allergies, and every three minutes a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room. “MicroBuddy,” a patented, handheld, portable test-probe device, accurately detects allergens in any type of food, and is small enough to fit in a purse, pocket, or child’s school backpack.

“I’m really glad to be recognized as one of the top three winners, but most importantly for the team of people I had beside me to cheer me on and mentor me throughout the journey,” Thomas said. “As I joined the other 13 contestants in line to the podium, my heart was in my throat and the only thing I could do was essentially what I'd been doing for weeks in preparation of the contest—rehearse my pitch over under my breath and tune out all the rest. I knew that I only had one chance to nail my pitch, no exceptions. In the end, without the slightest hesitation, I hit the mark!”

Thomas worked closely on her pitch with Maureen McGuinness, G’12, MBA, ¹ú²úÓ´Ó´ Assistant Professor of Business; and Laurie A. Rosner, MBA, '99, G'08, Chair, Undergraduate Business Programs, Assistant Professor of Management, and Grinspoon EI Faculty Advisor for ¹ú²úÓ´Ó´.

“It is truly an honor to be the Grinspoon Entrepreneurial Initiative Faculty Advisor on campus,” Rosner said. “The students’ enthusiasm is contagious and their ideas amaze. To see them go from concept to launch or take their business to the next level is inspiring, which motivates other students to explore their entrepreneurial spirit. ¹ú²úÓ´Ó´ students are such an inspiration and demonstrate you can take an idea and turn it into a thriving, successful, fulfilling business. We are grateful to the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.” 

The annual Elevator Pitch Competition was sponsored by local community banks: Berkshire Bank, Country Bank, KeyBank, PeoplesBank, United Bank and Westfield Bank. The competition was judged by representatives of each bank.

The program featured a business exhibition where 68 award-winning students from across the Valley displayed and promoted their businesses, receiving awards of up to $1,500.00 in recognition of their entrepreneurial spirits. Of those students, four individuals from ¹ú²úÓ´Ó´ were honored: Grinspoon Concept Award Winner Kelly Bernier ’18, undergraduate psychology major, Bitter Days Apothecary; GrinspoonSpirit Award Winner Grace Schultz G’19, occupational therapy graduate student, Cottontail Apiary; Grinspoon Spirit Award Winner Michele Cornelius ’18, accounting major at The American Women’s College at ¹ú²úÓ´Ó´, Elements Massage Hadley; and Grinspoon Spirit Award Winner Oomilya Poo-Nark ’20, studying business administration through the University’s One Day A Week program, owner of Ome Omi Boutique. Poo-Nark’s business concept and display of high-end customized shoes earned her additional recognition as the Evening Judge Exhibitor Winner.

“We are so excited for Victoria Thomas as she was composed, professional, passionate, and made us all so very proud. It was wonderful to have her family join her, along with her ¹ú²úÓ´Ó´ family,” Rosner said. “We were also so proud of Kelly Bernier who received a concept award for Bitter Days Apothecary. This event allowed her to take her idea from concept to reality. It was also exciting to have GrinspoonSpirit Award winner Oomilya Poo-Nark chosen as a judge’s exhibit winner for her gorgeous custom shoes. In addition, it was wonderful to see Grinspoon Spirit Award winner Grace Schultz display her business, Cottontail Apiary. She was so excited to meet Mr. Harold Grinspoon. Also, Grinspoon Spirit Award winner Michele Cornelius provided free five-minute massages by one of her therapists from Elements Massage Hadley.” 

Now in its 15^th year, the mission of the Entrepreneurship Initiative is to encourage entrepreneurial activity in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts by fostering an educational environment among participating colleges and universities that informs, supports, and inspires students, and by recognizing and awarding students who display entrepreneurial spirit. Since the program began in 2003, over 760 students have received awards exceeding $600,000.00. Grinspoon EI is made possible by the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation and a successful collaboration among 14 participating colleges and universities. For further information about the GrinspoonEntrepreneurship Initiative, contact Cari Carpenter: cari@hgf.org or 413-276-0831 –