Savannah State University providing mentorship opportunities for young entrepreneurs

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTGS) — Savannah State University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), has partnered with SCORE to provide SSU students with entrepreneurship mentorship and opportunities.

“We are grateful for the relationship with SCORE and the valuable expertise they are sharing with our students,” said Nicole Cannonier, Ph.D., Savannah State University’s associate professor of management. “It is an enriching partnership, one which provides students the one-on-one attention of a mentor and the resources to make business ownership a reality, even before they graduate.”

Through the program and partnership, students went through a series of workshops, as well as working with business professionals to create and develop their own business model.

"I really appreciate the opportunity from the school because they’re allowing us to partner with outside resources that will help further our future interest. So, I appreciate that because if I didn’t get the opportunity I honestly don’t know when I would’ve started my business plans," said Chenijah Dawson, Savannah State Student.

The program started with about 30 students.

Now, only four to six students will have the opportunity to enter into a business pitch competition to win a cash prize.

"We want students to be confident that if they have an idea, that they can go out there and they can deliver. That they can sell that idea and they can get someone to invest in them," said Cannonier.

Students will work on and practice their business pitch throughout the month of March.

The business pitch competition will be held in April.