HPU senior wins top prize for entrepreneurship contest

Seth Gold, a senior at High Point University majoring in entrepreneurship and marketing, is gaining a lot of attention thanks to a company he started last year called Bamboo Apparel. Gold won the top honor in the Social Enterprise category at the Charlotte Venture Challenge held in April.

Held at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, Gold was among the 18 finalists who qualified to compete in the event from an initial field of 117 original entrants. As part of the competition, he was required to make his five minute presentation before a panel of venture capitalists and take part in five minutes of rapid-fire questions.

His first place earnings included $3,000 plus services and office space as part of the Charlotte Venture Challenge – a competition that challenges start-up businesses to pitch their ideas to a panel of experienced investors.

Gold’s company offers T-shirts made of 70 percent bamboo that are created through sustainable methods that allow consumers to reduce their carbon footprint. For every T-shirt purchased, Gold and his team matches the sale with a donation of a T-shirt to an orphanage around the world.

He launched the company after competing in HPU’s first Business Plan Competition where he won first place and $5,000 in start up funds. After graduation on May 5, he says the company will be his main focus.

“As an entrepreneur, it is great experience anytime you have a chance to give a presentation to a group of angel investors,” states Gold. “To be selected as a winner at the end of the day was great because it lets you walk away with more confidence for the next opportunity.”

For more information about Bamboo Apparel, visit www.bamboogivesback.com.

#     #     #