Nov. 19, 2014 ~

COLUMBIA, SC – EngenuitySC has announced the three finalists in the $5,000 Ignite! 2014 Ideas Contest, a public competition sponsored by Wells Fargo, open to individuals and organizations with ideas for starting something new in the Midlands. Live audience voting will determine the winner at the Nov. 19, 2014 Ignite! celebration at The Zone at Williams-Brice Stadium, 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Ignite! is EngenuitySC’s annual celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship and economic competitiveness in the Midlands. The 2014 Ideas Contest, sponsored by Wells Fargo, represents a chance to use $5,000 to start something exciting and innovative in the Midlands.

In addition to presentations by the three Ideas Contest finalists and live, shark tank-style voting for the winner, guests will enjoy an evening of engaging speakers, reserved banquet seating, valet parking and networking with CEOs and local leaders, sponsored by McWaters, Inc. There will also be an open bar and light supper by Chef Scott Hall – a Cooking Channel regular – courtesy of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

Ignite! 2014 Ideas Contest Finalists:

Goodsupply

Sam Ervin, Faris Montgomery and Shraddha Pandya

Goodsupply is a social platform that will connect charitable organizations with their giving communities. Designed to fulfill some of the overlooked needs of local nonprofits, donors will be able to give the organizations exactly what they need in just a few clicks. Nonprofits can create a profile and list their needs directly on the Goodsupply website. Philanthropic community members can then go online, browse organizations’ needs and choose exactly what they want to donate, all directly on Goodsupply’s site. Donors will know exactly what they give, where it’s going and how it’s going to make a difference.

Red Finch Roasters

Jessie Albin

Red Finch Roasters is a coffee house/semi-public art studio hybrid; designed to appeal to coffee lovers and art enthusiasts. Red Finch Roasters will roast its coffee beans in-house and offer other products that are handmade on-site. The coffee house will feature a small, efficient coffee bar selling espresso drinks, drip coffee and other non-alcoholic beverages. The semi-public art studio will take the place of traditional coffee house seating, where customers will be able to get up close and personal with Red Finch Roasters’ creative processes and use the business’ art supplies to create their own work while enjoying an expertly crafted latte or cappuccino.

Webgyrlz Code

Shambi Broome

Webgyrlz Code is a hands-on training program that teaches young girls, in third through fifth grades, how to hand-code web pages using HTML5 and other programming languages. Designed to encourage female interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields, the program can be completed in one to five classes, after school or on the weekends. Eventually, the company hopes to incorporate a mobile classroom that will be able to reach underserved areas. Aside from fueling interest in STEM-based learning and career paths, Webgyrlz Code is designed to foster lasting life skills that produce confident young women.
Website: www.webgyrlzcode.com

Tickets to Ignite! 2014 are $75 and can be purchased now at http://engenuitysc.com/ignite/i-want-a-ticket. Ignite! is once again a part of Global Entrepreneurship Week in Columbia, S.C.

Stay on top of Ignite! 2014 updates at http://www.engenuitysc.com/ignite
Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/engenuitysc
Follow @EngenuitySC on Twitter.
Ignite! 2014 Twitter hashtag: #IgniteCAE
Global Entrepreneurship Week Twitter hashtag: #colagew

About EngenuitySC

Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., EngenuitySC is a public-private partnership focused on enhancing our region’s economic competitiveness and prosperity. Through collaboration with business, government, higher education and community leaders, EngenuitySC builds partnerships and measures success around five indicators of competitive communities: innovative capacity, talent, entrepreneurial/business environment, livability and strong industry clusters. Through our innovative process, unique vision and ability to create a plan and deliver results, EngenuitySC is working to build a more competitive and prosperous Midlands region. For more information, visit http://www.engenuitysc.com.