St. John's University to Participate in the BIG EAST Startup Challenge

On Tuesday, February 22, 2022, St. John’s University will participate in the BIG EAST Startup Challenge, a competition featuring startup teams of student entrepreneurs from all the Big East conference Universities. The BIG EAST Startup Challenge offers undergraduate entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their idea to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and BIG EAST alumni. 

Brielle Simmons, a Legal Studies major, will participate in this “elevator pitch competition” at the BIG EAST conference. Brielle was the winner of Pitch Johnny 2021, a competition that is hosted by The Collins College of Professional Studies, in collaboration with The Tobin School of Business. This competition is part of CCPS’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship program, which trains young entrepreneurs to develop their own entrepreneurial ventures or business. Brielle took first prize in the social entrepreneurship division with her concept, Bringing me Sunshine, a non-profit corporation whose mission is to combat homelessness and poverty by providing sustainable resources and programs to underprivileged children and families. 

This is not the first time CCPS participated in the BIG EAST startup challenge. In 2019 and our students took second prize, during its inaugural year.