Several Arizona State University student entrepreneurs who won big cash investments for their ventures on Saturday expressed gratitude not only for the money but also the support they found in Venture Devils.
Uzoma Ndulue, a graduate student in industrial design, won $25,000 for her fashion company, Good Road Collection. Ndulue’s venture was one of nearly 70 pitched on Saturday as part of Venture Devils, a program to support ASU students, staff, faculty, alumni and community founders within the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at ASU.
More than $250,000 was awarded. Venture Devils also get access to mentorship and space.
“Sometimes we feel like our dreams is not what people want to see,” said Ndulue, who was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria.
“My venture is fashion and I’m currently wearing my brand and I feel like it’s so important to have an African fashion brand.”
Ndulue was on the stage at SkySong 1951 with Tracy Lea, director of venture development for the Edson E+I Institute. She recalled how she met Lea several months ago.
“I felt like everything had to be very innovative, and it was, ‘Should I or should I not?’ And you encouraged me,” said Ndulue, who admitted that she was shaking from excitement.
“Thank you so much for believing in me and believing in this venture.”
Lea remembered meeting Ndulue.
“I’m so glad you got past ‘Should I do this’ and you just did it,” she said.
“Whether you win seed funding or not, you keep going. You watch other pitches and make refinements.”
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