The Carroll Biz Challenge

Congratulations to LDOT, the 2023 Carroll Biz Challenge winner!

The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the 13th annual Carroll Biz Challenge!

The Biz Challenge showcases local entrepreneurs and gives them the exciting opportunity to pitch their new business ideas, to make great connections, get loads of publicity, and compete for a $10,000 cash prize (plus additional prizes worth thousands more), the $2,024 People’s Choice Award, and the $2,000 United Way of Central Maryland Changemaker Challenge Award.

The Five Finalists will pitch their ideas on stage at the Live Finale on August 15 at 5:00 PM at the Carroll Arts Center in Westminster, MD.

But first, meet the contestants at the Biz Challenge Meet & Greet.

We’ll have food and adult beverages and each of the applicants will have 60 seconds to give a pitch.

Thursday, June 8
6:00 – 8:00 PM
At the TownMall of Westminster

We’ll meet in the common area outside of Dicks Sporting Goods, next to the food court. The best way to get there is to enter the mall through the RC Theater entrance.

The Process

Apply

February 6 – May 31
Submit your business idea through our simple application portal.
The application period is not yet open.

Meet & Greet

June 13, 6-8 PM
Meet the other contestants, the judges and the sponsors. Appetizers and drinks generously provided my the TownMall of Westminster.
Come to the Meet & Greet!

5 Finalists Chosen

Late June
The advisory committee embarks on the always-grueling task of choosing only five finalists from all the contestants.

The Live Finale

August 15, 5 PM
The five finalists take the stage and pitch their ideas The audience votes for the $2,024 People’s Choice Award and the judges deliberate and choose the grand prize winner.

The Criteria

The following nine categories will be used to determine the Final Five Finalists and the Grand Prize Winner.

Innovation
Product/Service Clarity
Market Potential

Competitive Advantage
Future Milestones
Sustainability

Leadership
Community Impact
Showmanship

The Grand Prize

Here’s the Grand Prize package as it stands right now. It will most likely increase.

$10,000 CASH

Carroll County Chamber of Commerce // 1-Year Membership
$330

Carroll Biz Challenge // 2025 Platinum Sponsorship
$1,500

127 Creative // 3 Hours of Design/Marketing Services
$570

WTTR // Airtime
$1000

Brown Plus // Up to 5 hours Accounting and Tax Consulting
$2,600

Answer Tax & Business // Business Tax Return Preparation
$1,000

The Judges

Meet the panel who will decide the fate of the Final 5 at the Live Finale.

Jason Stambaugh

Jason Stambaugh is the founder and creator of the Carroll Biz Challenge. Since 2010 he has been leading teams to develop and scale enterprise software platforms serving customers in the education, retail, and financial services sectors. He has served as the Director of Partner Experience at DTS Connex, a local tech company transforming daily cash operations for major retailers, restaurants, and banks since 2017.

Based in Westminster, Maryland, Jason has had the opportunity to serve on local non-profit boards and work with community members to launch a variety of local initiatives including Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory (MAGIC). He serves as a Council Member on the McDaniel College Entrepreneurship Advisory Council, a Member of Carroll Hospital Foundations Young Leaders Group, and a Trustee at Hey Westminster.

Kim Fernandez

Kim Fernandez is the heart and CEO of GIRLKIN Lashes, a chain of luxury eyelash extension salons! In 2018, Kim opened her flagship location in Pikesville, MD. Within 4 years, she expanded her reach by opening 4 more locations in the DMV area.

True to her brand, she is driven to empower others and create leaders in this industry. Kim has taken her business blueprint and developed a successfully proven franchise program, with the first franchise salon opening in 2021 in Georgia and in 2024, Annapolis and Bowie, MD franchise locations. Through this program, franchisees have endless opportunities to grow themselves as leaders with the GIRLKIN brand.

GIRLKIN's mission is to provide an unmatched experience with gorgeous lashes and unbeatable customer service in a glamorously luxurious environment.

Deb Cancro

Debra Cancro is SVP of Data Products at Bigtincan where she is responsible for developing innovative capabilities to help customers leverage the value of their data. She joined Bigtincan via the acquisition of her AI startup, VoiceVibes, which she founded in 2012 to help people be more effective communicators.

Prior to VoiceVibes, Debra was the founder of Autonomy Engine, LLC, which developed autonomous control systems software. She has over 15 years of marketing and management experience at both startups and Fortune 500 companies. Her background includes product marketing for the Bluetooth and HDMI product lines at the Broadcom Corporation (BRCM) and Member of Technical Staff at AT&T Bell Labs as well as being a stay-at-home mom for 7 years.

The 2024 Finalists

The automated Nespresso of food.

Entrepreneur: Maxwell Wieder

A dynamic new nonprofit serving both the minority and underserved communities of Carroll County.

Entrepreneur: Billy Live

A brand that promotes simple changes to everyday habits that allow a vast wealth of health benefits.

Entrepreneurs: Justin Moser, Alex Stranko, Ethan Sussman, Travis Moseley, Jake Fisher

An agricultural service providing turnkey beekeeping solutions including honey bee hive installation and maintenance.

Entrepreneur: Laith Nichols

Building technology that opens the eyes of blind people by allowing them to quickly and confidently navigate their surroundings.

Entrepreneur: Derrick Day and Emily Brynes

The 2024 Applicants

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Frankie Greenthumbs

We help teach and provide equipment to grow cannabis at home.

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Imagination Station

Imagination Station will offer open play time for children to explore themed worlds that spark creativity and social interaction, as well as birthday party packages for memorable celebrations, providing parents with a safe, engaging environment for their kids.