I like the opportunity to interact with professionals versed in business development, marketing, and strategy. I also love the opportunity to compete and put my venture against others, receive feedback, and make my venture better.
With eight finalists selected to compete in The Universty of Baltimore's 2025 "Rise to the Challenge" Pitch Competition for new and existing businesses, this group of entreprenurial students is demonstrating what it takes to make it in the fierce environment of start-ups and small companies.
All eight are describing their array of products and services—read their descriptions and make plans to attend the event on May 1. (Registration details listed below.)
Mary-Elizabeth Baccus: "I am a Black disabled woman and Bowie State University graduate who turned a moment of frustration decorating my own graduation cap into an innovative vision. After teaching myself how to write a utility patent—which I successfully filed—I founded Digii Digital LLC, a company centered on reimagining how we celebrate student achievement. I am now pursuing my master's degree in Legal Studies at The University of Baltimore to further position myself to bring my invention—a digital display graduation cap—to life. My ultimate goal is to use this platform not just for celebration, but to provide scholarships for students from low-income communities who are pursuing trade, vocational, or traditional academic paths. Everything I’ve built is rooted in giving back to Baltimore and making success more accessible for those often left behind. I hope to follow in the footsteps of trailblazers like Annie Turnbo Malone—using innovation to empower, uplift, and reinvest in the community.:
Cai Davis: "Tipsy Trips is a platform that allows users to find local happy hours and rewards them with exclusive deals and prizes for patronizing them. I've seen many restaurants go out of business simply because they couldn't generate enough revenue or foot traffic—something the pandemic made even more apparent. I understand how difficult and costly it can be for small businesses to market themselves across multiple channels, hoping word of mouth and ads will be enough. On the flip side, as a consumer, I know how hard it can be to discover new and interesting restaurants. Unless someone tells me about it, or I just happen to catch an ad during a campaign, I might never even know the place exists. Tipsy Trips is meant to advocate for restaurants in a way no platform has—and that is by driving consistent foot traffic during non-peak hours, rewarding customer loyalty, and giving restaurants direct access to a community of local diners eager to discover and support new spots. Unlike traditional platforms, we're focused on visibility, engagement, and turning casual visitors into repeat patrons. My goal for participating in 'Rise to the Challenge' is to acquire funding for my business and give visibility to the community. That it offers me a chance to bring my idea to life and showcase it among potential consumers and investors."
Maxwell Lawson, owner of WigglyFix, a revolutionary, hands-free, reusable wig installation device designed to simplify and enhance the wig-wearing experience: "As a proud native of Baltimore, I've been shaped by the people, culture, and resilience of this city. From my early days as a student assistant at Bowie State to my current role at The University of Baltimore, I've developed a deep appreciation for service, education, and community empowerment. My journey has taken me around the world—organizing children's camps in Bangladesh and Madagascar—but my heart has always remained in Baltimore. I plan to give back by mentoring local youth, helping them see the value of education and global citizenship. Whether through volunteering, community outreach, or future entrepreneurial ventures, I'm committed to uplifting my city and being a source of hope and opportunity for the next generation."
Shakkearra Sykes: "I'm the creative director of Brève. I've had the honor of holding smaller roles on major platforms like Roku TV, VH1, and Fox Soul, where I showcased the fashion side of the brand, Brève Exclusivité. Now, I'm expanding and launching Brève Maison, a line that brings the same sense of style, individuality, and elegance into everyday living spaces. Brève Exclusivité means "Brief Exclusive" in French, and that's exactly what I want your home to feel like: uniquely yours, no matter how temporary or permanent your stay may be. Brève offers premium, removable décor designed to transform your space without the commitment. From peel-and-stick wall art to eco-friendly textiles and lighting, every product is crafted with intention, beauty, and accessibility in mind. Through Brève, I'm not just helping people decorate their homes, I'm helping them create environments that reflect who they are and what they love. By collaborating with local artists and offering virtual design services, I'm also proud to be pouring back into Baltimore's creative community. Brève is more than home décor; it’s a movement to make every space feel like a sanctuary."
Maria Del Hoyo: "I started in the industry as a model, and then developed a passion for behind the camera as much as in front of it. Slowly, with the help of my wife, I made the transition into the music industry as an A&R and intern. Now many years later, I am the executive vice president for the record label Rare Gold Music Group. I also own a clothing brand called STEM Fashion and have a video production company called Made by Bae Productions with my partner, where we act, shoot, edit and direct our own content. I am a female powerhouse, but it takes discipline. Having a consistent goal, structure and performance standard is key for anything you want to create. (This would not be able to be broken down into a paragraph—LOL). My life has been very dynamic, my upbringing was not easy. I did not graduate at 17, I pushed myself to go back to school and get my diploma 10 years after and then decided to go straight to college to further myself in what I had already created with very limited resources. I know where I have been, but I do not know where I am going or what is in store on this journey, so I guess ... my story has yet to unfold. My business idea is an extension of my current business, Rare Gold Music Group. Blackfoot Studio will be a boutique recording space that will conjointly serve as a creative hub for current and upcoming talent. The opening of Blackfoot Studio will have a major impact on the city due to the ability to open a professional creative space where industry professionals and their clients can come and experience Baltimore in a new way, driving more individuals to create and bring opportunities to the city. One of the best parts about this business is that we have already been operating for seven years with Rare Gold Music Group and have high profile clientele that is ready to participate in this new venture."
Dorien Murphy: "Cheffin, LLC is a premium private chef service delivering curated, high-end fine dining experiences in private homes, luxury apartments, and corporate settings. Based in Baltimore, Cheffin provides personal chef engagements, event catering, meal preparation, and culinary education services. By offering seamless booking, customizable menus, and immersive dining experiences, we stand out in the luxury hospitality market. Our goal is to democratize personal chef services and make them more accessible to everyone wanting a high-end hospitality experience for themselves or a group. My goal for participating in the competition is to get feedback on my venture from industry professionals and to win investment to improve our website and tech offering to make our booking process even easier. I like the opportunity to interact with professionals versed in business development, marketing, and strategy. I also love the opportunity to compete and put my venture against others, receive feedback, and make my venture better."
Ayanna Roberts: At Pretty Kitty Wax Studio (PKWS), our mission goes beyond beauty—we are creating a safe, welcoming space where women, especially minority women, can feel seen, understood, and cared for. Born from my own journey of struggling with skin issues and feeling isolated in those experiences, PKWS is deeply personal. Growing up, I had the curliest and darkest hair in my immediate family and often felt like no one truly understood my skin or my struggles. It wasn't until I realized my own skin troubles was an issue bigger than me, I lacked finding someone who could genuinely relate. That moment changed everything—and it's what inspired me to open PKWS. Here, we don't just offer expert body waxing and skin services; we provide a space where representation matters and self-care feels like healing. Through our work, we're also committed to giving back to Baltimore—the city that raised me. Whether it's through community outreach, partnerships, or mentorship for professionals interested in minority skincare, our goal is to pour love, support, and empowerment back into the very community that made this dream possible."
N'kobe Turner: "Grandma's Southern Pies is a dessert business on a mission to provide healthier, sustainable, inclusive desserts with social impact. Every summer, I used to go to Mississippi and bake with my Grandma. I used to love to eat her sweet potato pie, and so did the rest of the family and neighborhood. However, I found that when I searched for something comparable to my grandma's pie, it felt like I had to choose between my health and my taste buds. I wanted to develop a taste of home that kept the integrity of my Grandma's recipe while simultaneously offering a healthier alternative. So, I began developing recipes for myself and others to enjoy. However, I did not start this business until sometime later, when my older brother, JR, was discriminated against due to his condition. JR is autistic. One day, he walked into a grocery store and got his normal frozen pizza and hotdogs. When he went back the next day for salad, the store staff pulled him to the side and said that the last time he was there, he was 'acting weirdly' and 'making people uncomfortable,' and they told him he wasn't allowed back. They banned him, all for being different. Upon my Mom getting there and explaining his condition, they were apologetic, but the damage was done. I knew I wanted to contribute in some way, so I decided to contribute directly. I started Grandma's Southern Pies, and for every pie we sell, we donate a portion of the proceeds to Autism Speaks, who we recently formed a partnership with, so that stories like my brother's could be heard, but not replicated. My goal for participating in 'Rise to the Challenge' is to gain the funding, experience, and connections needed to take my business to the next level and serve more people. I like that the funding opportunity is not the only benefit from participating in this competition. Through mentoring sessions with people like Ronald Stubblefield, I have already been able to develop a deeper understanding of my business model and connections for possible partnerships. Furthermore, this increased understanding of my business will help me to refine my revenue model, brand positioning, and my possible partnerships. Additionally, being able to gain exposure for my business within my target market of Baltimore will be very special to me, as this is the community I want to engross my business in. Overall, I like most that it is not just about money—it is about community, growth, and fellowship."
The University of Baltimore Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, named one of the Baltimore Business Journal's "Top Incubators and Accelerators for 2019," directs support and assistance to UBalt students and alumni interested in building or growing an enterprise. The center leverages support for its users through events, networking opportunities, culture, education and research, and connections with the business community.
Register to attend the 13th annual "Rise to the Challenge" business pitch competition.