MICA gets grant to help student startups

MICA is looking to help students turn creative endeavors into businesses with a pitch competition and other programming.
With a three-year $600,000 grant from the Ratcliffe Foundation, the art-focused college is set to launch an entrepreneurship initiative called UP/Start MICA.
“We are greatly impressed with President Samuel Hoi’s vision to encourage entrepreneurship among the students and alumni at one of the nation’s finest arts and design schools,” said James D. Wright, co-trustee of the Ratcliffe Foundation.
Some pieces of the initiative are already in motion. The college brought on Monyka Berrocosa as “Entrepreneurship Evangelist” in the fall. She has already held workshops for startups, and her role will be “key” to the initiative, according to a release from MICA.
The college also held a pitch event in February, where judges selected finalists who will go onto another pitch competition in April. Up to five teams will be eligible for a maximum of $20,000 each, which is funded by the grant.