According to a news release, Grant and his entry, ME Company, secured $10,000 as the winner of the 2023 BizTech Challenge, powered by Nexus Louisiana.
The Southern University and A&M College student, who co-founded ME Company with Andrew Grant, explained in the news release that it’s designed to “bridge the gap between people who don’t know how to market themselves or people who need to market themselves and companies that need to find people to hire.”
Grant, who serves as CEO, will now be empowered to further his business, which reflects the program’s goal of ensuring underrepresented students living in Louisiana can achieve success in business and ventures related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
“The BizTech program is designed to support diverse student populations to launch and grow STEM-based businesses,” Na’Tisha Natt, director of marketing and engagement at Nexus Louisiana, said. “Historically Black Colleges and Universities continue to play a critical role in developing the next generation of diverse leaders in STEM, and this program provides supplemental support for students interested in entrepreneurship via real-world experience and expert mentorship.”
She continued, “STEM professions are the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S., but African Americans represent only 9% of the STEM workforce, and that underrepresentation extends to Black-founded tech startups.”
Actor Morris Chestnut, who led the event as headliner, shared in the news release, “I think BizTech is a great opportunity to give young aspiring creators, entrepreneurs, an opportunity to get in front of people who can realize their dreams for them and take their dreams to another level.”
To date, BizTech Challenge has awarded $130,000 to over 500 students.
Grant was not the only winner of this year’s competition. LegalEase took home second place, earning $6,000 and a membership to New Orleans, LA-based co-working space Maroon. Blue Pages, an app connecting Southern University students to entrepreneurs, took home $4,000. And the popular Cookie-Bytes won $1,000 and also received a Maroon membership.
