AACC Entrepreneurial Studies Institute

10/15/2026

This fall, HAWKTRADE brings together AACC’s student entrepreneurs, creators, and dreamers for a celebration of enterprise, creativity, and community!

🗓️ Tuesday, October 20th
⏰ 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
📍 Student Union

Come discover something new, meet the minds behind the businesses, and support the next generation of entrepreneurs.

10/06/2026

🛒 FROM IDEA TO MARKET

Are you HawkTrade ready?

One week before HawkTrade, E Club is bringing students together to learn how to join, prepare, and sell. Whether you already have a business, a product, a service, or simply an idea wandering around your head, this meeting is for you.

Come learn what HawkTrade is, how to prepare for it, and what it takes to bring an idea into the market.

📅 Tuesday, October 13
⏰ 4 PM to 5 PM
📍 The Hatchery

All majors and experience levels are welcome. Bring your ideas, your questions, and your lovely entrepreneurial selves.

The hawks are preparing to trade 🦅

09/22/2026

Are you ready for our fall competition kickoff? Join us Thursday, September 24 from 2-3:30 pm in CADE 219 or via Zoom. We will kick off our competition season with an overview of opportunities, introduction to Spark Challenge, a preview of workshops and hands on experiences, and brainstorming activities.

Register to attend in person or via Zoom: https://bit.ly/CompetitionKickoffFall26

Learn how you can win $$$ for your big ideas!

09/19/2026

Just a little recap of what ESI had been up to so far this fall. A conference, meetings, a club fair, a field trip, and building our community.

09/05/2026

Meet Artensie Flowers of Beyond 45 Jewels!

“Life is too short to be unsure, unfulfilled. Live your next phase of life doing exactly what you want to do.”
-Artensie, studied coaching and entrepreneurship

Read more at aacc.edu/newsroom/featured-stories/story-library/2026-stories/artensie-flowers-june-2026.

Find her coaching services at beyond45jewels.com.
AACC Entrepreneurial Studies Institute

09/03/2026

So excited to have Ephesians Coffee on campus. Hannah worked on this business idea in her Introduction to Entrepreneurship course. Now Hannah and Haley have their beautiful coffee trailer and sell coffee on campus. Visit them on Mondays and Thursdays 8 am to 1 pm by the CALT Building.

09/02/2026

E-Club was at the welcome week event today sharing fun Friends-themed giveaways. Thanks to E-Club President Rave Bandong and E-Club Advisor Hannah Gribbin for the creative display and giveaways. Thanks to Nakiera Bea for helping staff the table. We'll share the fall meeting dates soon!

08/29/2026

AACC classes may start Monday, August 31, but our Ratcliffe Scholars kicked off the semester early at our mini conference on August 21. About 30 Scholars and alumni came together to learn, brainstorm, and network. The Ratcliffe Scholars Program, funded by The Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation, supports students who want to start businesses with scholarship funds and opportunities to participate in competitions providing seed funds and additional learning experiences.

AACC's Entrepreneurial Studies Institute engages students in these opportunities with the support of community organizations such as SCORE Mentors and Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation. Community volunteers and business owners lend their expertise by serving as speakers, coaches, and mentors. Thank you to Monica Alvarado and Bread and Butter Kitchen for working with us to provide delicious meals and for serving as a guest speaker. Thank you to Aiyana Glover, the Laptop Coach, Chris Taylor of SCORE, and Abbi Ludwig of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce for sharing their expertise with our attendees.

The next application deadline to become a Ratcliffe Scholar is October 12th. www.aacc.edu/esi

05/02/2026

SpringFest is starting now as our student vendors finish setting up for a fun day connecting with the community. Pop by the Health and Life Sciences Building patio to support our student entrepreneurs. We are here Saturday, May 2 10:30-4:30 on the Arnold campus.

04/30/2026

Congratulations to AACC's $100,000 Business Pitch Competition award winners! Our students did an amazing job pitching their businesses on Tuesday.

$25,000 Julie McVearry, M Café Luxe LLC
$15,000 Nehemiah Robison, Trident Detailing and Christmas Light Installation
$8,000 Daze Creamer-Ellecamp, Aspen’s Alternatives
$7,500 Kenneth Thomas, Jr., Obsessive Custom Detailing OCD, LLC
$6,500 Evan Smith, GoThrift
$5,000 Brey'n Loving, Scribe Media House
$5,000 April Mills, Bamboo Baby LLC
$3,000 Genevieve Laskey, Live Your Mission Consulting

The $1,000 Student Business Showcase Award: Victorine Enyogai with Confection Studio

Congratulations to all of our students!