The CESB currently offers three programs. The Bear B.I.D. and Bear B.I.D. X programs are designed to help participants develop their business plans and end with a competition, with prizes awarded to the best business plans. The CESB also hosts entrepreneur panels.
If you have suggestions for another program that the CESB might offer, please share them with us.
Bear B.I.D.
The 2024 Bear B.I.D. Competition was held April 17, 2024. Congratulations to the winners of the competition:
First Place
Bryan Stewart
Graduate Student, MBA
Northern Power and Safety Solutions, LLC
Mentor: Jay Pike (member, CESB Advisory Board)
Second Place
Morgan Dennis
Senior, Marketing
Thrill Boards
Mentor: Ed Sleboda (supporter, CESB)
Third Place
Brittany Francis
Graduate Student, Special Education - Transition Specialist Endorsement Certificate
Ample Access Outdoors
Mentored: Stan King (member, CESB Advisory Board)
Honorable Mention
Jo-Ann Silvia
Senior, English
Emotional Strength through Arts
Mentor: Brandie Leach (Assistant Director, Sexual Violence Advocacy and Support Center)
See the Bear B.I.D. program site for details and the competition application form. (BSU login credentials required.)
Entrepreneur Panels
The Entrepreneur Panels connect students, faculty and staff with entrepreneurs through panel discussions with entrepreneurs who have connections to BSU.
Fall 2024 Panel
October 24, 2024: Entrepreneur Panel and Networking Reception:
Entrepreneurs who are members of Metro South Chamber of Commerce as well as other local businesses served as panelists, sharing their entrepreneurial experiences. Following the panel, the Metro South Chamber of Commerce hosted a networking reception for its members to connect with BSU students, faculty and staff.
The entrepreneur panel was held from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Dana Mohler-Faria Science & Mathematics Center (DMF), Room 120. The following entrepreneurs participated on the panel:
Dan Evans, Owner, Evans Machine Company, Inc.
Jeni Mather, Founder & Owner, JM Pet Resort & Veterinary Clinic
Rita Mendes, Founder, Mendes Law Group
Vanessa Rios, Founder & Owner, VR Tailoring & Dry Cleaners
The networking reception followed the panel in Rondileau Student Union (RSU), Room 201 from 5 to 7:15 p.m.
Bear B.I.D. X
The Bear B.I.D. X program is available to women, immigrants and people of color seeking to open businesses in southeastern Massachusetts. The program helps selected participants prepare business plans and then compete for cash awards in a Shark Tank-style competition. The program was first offered in Summer 2021 under the name Bear’s Den Business Plan Competition. The program was funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Business Development. Because the Bear B.I.D. X program is dependent on grant funding, it will be offered only when such funding is received. If you are interested in learning more about the Bear B.I.D. X program, please contact the CESB Office at CESB@bridgew.edu.