Pompea College of Business Hosts Competition for Women Entrepreneurs

The University of New Haven’s Pompea College of Business will host its second annual EntreprenHER event, a women’s business pitch competition that provides a platform for women to showcase their entrepreneurial spirit. The event, which will be held at the University’s Orange Campus on Thursday, March 31, at 5:30 p.m., will enable five finalists to pitch their businesses to a panel of judges for an opportunity to earn cash awards.

The event, held virtually last year, will offer entrepreneurs as well as members of the University community the opportunity to come together in person and network. It will also include a pop-up shop, at which women who own businesses in Connecticut will showcase and promote their products and services.

Below, three members of the University’s Women in Business Club executive board share why they are looking forward to the event.

Kiana White ’24

I am looking forward to the EntreprenHER event because it will help me feel empowered and motivated to continue to do my best in college. This event gives five wonderful women entrepreneurs the opportunity to engage in a competition to showcase their business acumen, talents, and entrepreneurial drive.

I am excited that this year will be the first time this event is held in-person. This will give Women in Business Club members the opportunity to network and possibly connect with these fantastic ladies! I believe this event is valuable for all students because no matter if you are a business major or not, if you have a slight interest in business, this will motivate you to either pursue or conduct more research on the importance of small and large businesses.

Anyone, regardless of skin color, background, major, or socio-economic status, can start a business. It does take a certain type of motivation and discipline to achieve success, and I am confident the EntreprenHER event will be beneficial to all students.

I believe some of the ways to help the Women in Business Club market this event is by sharing it on LinkedIn, with Recognized Student Organizations at the University, and with friends, colleagues, and family members who we know who have a wonderful business idea or a business in need of financial support. If interested, please RSVP, and I hope to see and meet you there!

Abby Murphy ’24

I’m thrilled to attend the EntreprenHER event and to hear all the pitches by women in business. This is one of the biggest events we hold as a club, so I’m very excited to be a part of it. Additionally, the event is a great networking opportunity to meet students and to meet individuals from outside the University. Overall, this event has so many amazing aspects to it, and I’m really looking forward to it.

This event has the potential to connect students with their next business partner, co-worker, or boss. Networking is crucial, especially in business. Seeing as this event will have roughly 200 attendees, students can expand their connections and make impactful relationships.

Students should expect a very welcoming environment and to learn what a successful pitch sounds like. Furthermore, they will have the opportunity to buy a businesses' products and to see businesses’ branding and marketing through the tables that will be set up throughout Orange Campus.

Emily Bogdanowicz ’24

I am looking forward to EntreprenHER once again this year because it has lots of great opportunities for women to support each other and learn from one another. What’s nice about the event is that it is for women-run businesses, but their business can be related to other fields for which the University offers programs. Regardless of one’s major, it is a great opportunity to network with women from lots of different backgrounds and to gain knowledge from them.

EntreprenHER is much more than a competition, as it creates an environment for women to feel empowered and shows young entrepreneurs steps they can take for their future endeavors while showcasing successful women-run businesses.

Please RSVP for the event via Charger Connection, and feel free to post about the event on Instagram and LinkedIn!

Kiana White ’24, a business management major with a concentration in human resources, is president of the University’s Women in Business Club. Abby Murphy ’24 is also a business management major. Emily Bogdanowicz ’24 is a sport management major. They are all members of the Women in Business Club’s executive board.

Click here to RSVP for EntreprenHER and to learn more.