Rocket Business Pitch Competition

Where Student Innovation Takes Flight

The Center for Entrepreneurial and Business Excellence (CEBE) hosted its annual Rocket Pitch and Entrepreneurial Celebration on May 6, 2026, in Monteabaro Recital Hall. This year, applicants from across campus were encouraged to apply, as the competition was open to all currently enrolled HCC students, regardless of discipline. After careful consideration, ten presenters were chosen to share their marketing pitches, granting them the opportunity to win a number of scholarship awards.

We are pleased to celebrate this year's winners:

First Place ($2,250) – Moses Lee – OfferEngine, an AI-powered system helping college students faster land more interviews and job offers.

Second Place ($1,350) – Alana Williams – DermaIQ, a bio-personalized digital skin health platform that connects skincare with internal health factors.

Third Place ($900) – Sam (Yeshayahu) Bluestein – Sam Scientific, a company focused on the design and manufacture of custom biological data collection devices. 

Fourth Place ($500) – Dev Mehta – Dev’s Bakery, a welcoming neighborhood bakery dedicated to serving fresh, flavorful quick bites, baked goods, and assorted beverages at affordable prices.

People’s Choice Award ($400) – Jackelyn Rivera Alfaro – Payright, a payments-performance platform for construction that turns slow, fragmented invoice workflows into on time cash flow.

To view all the 2026 Rocket Pitch presenters, along with their unique business ideas, please visit the link below.

2026 Rocket Business Pitch Presenters

The Betty Noble award was created by the Howard Community College Educational Foundation, Inc. to honor former Business Dean and CEBE Director, Betty Noble, and her legacy. This award is bestowed upon students who have demonstrated a passion for entrepreneurship and most embody Betty’s qualities and attributes. The 2026 Betty Noble award winner was Gerson Alvarado. The CEBE congratulates Gerson and wishes him continued success as he continues his business and entrepreneurial journey.

The audience also heard business pitches from students Elijah Carton & Mason Varsalone, Pascal Mukasa, Balkirat Singh, Wyatt Stephens, and Zacchaeus Whitfield. Congratulations to all presenters and winners!

Recognizing those who make Rocket Pitch possible:

This celebration would not be possible without generous support from our sponsor, The Rotary Club of Columbia/Patuxent, as well as from the college and surrounding Columbia community. Our panel of five judges was carefully selected for their proven business acumen and entrepreneurial experience. The CEBE gratefully acknowledges the volunteer services and contributions of the 2026 Entrepreneurial Celebration judges: Diane Devaney, President & Founder of Devaney Associates; Deborah Hemingway, PhD, Founder & Managing Partner of Ecphora Capital; Cierrah Dixon-Styles, 1st place Rocket Pitch Winner, 2023 and Owner of Natural Obsession; Jamie Gaskin, Director and Associate Dean of Skilled Trades at Howard Community College; Jeffrey T. Agnor, Attorney & Partner at Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny Attorneys at Law.

The Center for Entrepreneurial and Business Excellence (CEBE) helps aspiring and existing business owners and students develop themselves and their businesses by utilizing the center’s programs, services, and resources.

For questions or to request mentoring assistance, please contact Helen Rose, Co-Director of the CEBE.

Please click here to view the 2024 Rocket Pitch Competition.