SC State University’s BECT Institute awards entrepreneurs in Venture Accelerator Competition
ORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina State University’s Institute of Business, Environment, Communications & Transportation (BECT) awarded $17,000 in prizes during its 2025 Venture Accelerator Competition, recognizing eight entrepreneurs for innovation and business development.
The competition, held March 25 during the College of Business and Informations Systems’ 53rd Annual Business Week, marked the culmination of an eight-week accelerator program.
The program’s eight entrepreneurs, who included two students, participated in intensive training focused on digital marketing and entrepreneurship.
The program included instruction from Gene Swank, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Propellant Labs. Swank bootstrapped his first venture with less than $100 in initial investment into a multi-million-dollar global corporation. He has been responsible for successful ventures in the manufacturing, technology, fashion, real estate & education verticals.
Instructors also included Zachary Thomas of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub, Gary Robinson from the Orangeburg Innovation Center, and Hope Williams, a marketing adjunct professor at SC State.
Participants developed marketing plans and pitched their ventures to a panel of local business leaders. Winners included:
- Connie Johnson, CEO of Immu-Lyfe, earned first place and $7,500 for her natural, non-GMO immune-boosting supplement, inspired by her own health challenges.
- Second place and $3,500 went to Kimberly Webb, CEO of Melanated Maternal Support, a business focused on assisting mothers in rural areas with lactation support.
- LaKetia Manigault, CEO of 5 Star Salon & Desizn, took third place and $2,000 for her venture offering medical-grade wigs and hair treatments for women experiencing hair loss due to medical issues.
Four runner-up awards of $1,000 were presented to:
- Darius Boone, CEO of BuzzBubbl, a social networking and event discovery app.
- Erinn Tracey, founder of SheWraps, a car detailing service run by women.
- Jaelin Fair, CEO of FairLedger, offering accounting and financial planning for small businesses.
- Taryn Sparkman, CEO of Her Haven Health, creating a safe space for underserved women facing abuse.
- Shawanda Sanders, CEO of Sunflower Residential Care, a facility for individuals with mental disabilities.
Judges included Stephon Edwards, CEO of Paragon Builders LLC; Adolphus Johnson CEO of New America, Inc.; and Dave Kerford, BECT Advisory Council member and business consultant. They provided feedback and guidance to participants throughout the competition.
Since launching the accelerator three years ago, BECT has trained 31 entrepreneurs from Orangeburg and nearby counties, supporting them with financial awards ranging from $2,500 to $20,000. The program is funded by a congressional grant through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
For more information about the BECT Institute, email Dr. Barbara Adams, executive director, at badams@scsu.edu.
