Recap of BisonTank Competition 2019

[Transcript] [The video opens with a blue background with the buff-colored outline of a Bison (without the eyes, but with white horns) and the following text appears to the right of the Bison in white and buff: BISONTANK]

MELISSA YINGST, MELMIRA:

I’m here at the BisonTank 2019!

This event, hosted at Gallaudet University, is made possible through partnership with Convo and Gallaudet Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute (GIEI). The goal is to their students elevate their entrepreneurship ideas. These students will be making their own business ideas pitches.

[B-roll]

MELISSA YINGST:

While they’re pitching their ideas, they share their data, business models, present arguments why their business will thrive. It’s been packed so far at this event and we have the judges here.

The students have prepared their strategy for these pitches. There’s a crowd of people who have come here to enjoy the show!

[B-roll]

Know who has a very tough job tonight? Those judges! I wonder if you could tell me what it is you judges are looking for?

RUSS STEIN, PANEL JUDGE:

I’m looking for data. I love the data and its measurability. You can’t just predict that you’ll make $2 million in the first year! Just so you know, that will never happen! Data is what’s important to me.

PRESIDENT BOBBI CORDANO, PANEL JUDGE:

What is crucial is how the students carry out their presentations. The clarity in the students’ arguments that can be understood among the audience and judges as well as seeing them exude confidence is what I want to see.

JARROD MUSANO, PANEL JUDGE:

I would say it’s their business model and how they set up their organizational structure and how they plan to grow the business. That’s what I want to look at. Also, I like what President Bobbi said about the presentation aspect. Being able to effectively present information is a critical part of convicting people if you want to win their support.

PATRICIA SUAREZ, PANEL JUDGE:

Everyone has brings a good point and I’d also like to see how well you can deliver the presentation. Also, creativity is a quality I’m looking for.

APRIL JACKSON, PANEL JUDGE:

For me, it’s passion. Having the drive to pursue goals, that’s what I’m looking for.

MELISSA YINGST:

Hmm, I’m excited to watch the pitches with you all!

MELISSA YINGST:

This is our Master of Ceremony, Perseus McDaniel!

PERSEUS MCDANIEL:

Hello, I’m Perseus McDaniel and this is how you can sign my name!

MELISSA YINGST:

Are you excited about tonight?

PERSEUS MCDANIEL:

Yes, we have a packed house here and I’m already starting to feel good vibes! I’m really excited and ready to do my duty as MC and see all these contestants pitch their ideas! I’m so excited!

MELISSA YINGST:

I’m sure!

PERSEUS MCDANIEL:

Thank you!

[Logo: CD Creations]

CARINA DOMINGUEZ CAN, CD CREATIONS: (during business pitch)

These clothes are designed especially for women.

MELISSA YINGST:

So you had this idea of adding these hidden features to these clothes, where did you come up with this idea?

CARINA DOMINGUEZ CAN, CD CREATIONS:

I actually have a scar myself so this is something that I need. I’m sure there are many others out there who need this as well.

MELISSA YINGST:

You can hide these scars with those clothes?

CARINA DOMINGUEZ CAN, CD CREATIONS:

Yes, it can boost women’s confidence and body image. I’ve always felt embarrassed and I needed to come up with something that would uplift other women as well.

MELISSA YINGST:

It still looks fashionable too, right?!

CARINA DOMINGUEZ CAN, CD CREATIONS:

Right! That’s why I want to give them that boost of self confidence.

[Logo: Da Cleanin’ Crew]

DOMINIC ALBANO, DA CLEANIN’ CREW: (during business pitch)

That’s my home. I come from a blue collar background. I’ve always been working and lately I’ve been getting tired of the same old routine. So I decided it was time for a change.

RUSS STEIN, PANEL JUDGE: (during pitch)

The reason for that is for insurance purposes. Did you know that there are no insurance companies willing to touch the state of California when it comes to providing insurance for worker compensation for cleaning employees?

MELISSA YINGST: (interviewing)

The Da Cleanin’ Crew...would you say you’ve seen a need for this business here at the GIEI?

DOMINIC ALBANO:

Yes, definitely! It’s just like with other big cities, there’s always something that needs cleaning up. Gallaudet is no different and we need people to help clean these up!

MELISSA YINGST:

What’s the concept of your cleaning business idea?

DOMINIC ALBANO:

I want to make this institution sparkling clean for my daughter when she enrolls here in the future!

MELISSA YINGST:

So it’s not just the campus, but you also do personal rooms as well?

DOMINIC ALBANO:

Yes, I also offer cleaning services so you can chill, do your own thing, work or study. Whatever their hassle is, I can take care of that for them and clean it up!

[Logo: Blue Mango Accessible Technology]

MALIK MIKHAIL, BLUE MANGO: (during business pitch)

Accessibility is a human right therefore access is for all people.

MELISSA YINGST: (interviewing)

You have this cool concept that could become an “ADA policing” tool in form of an app. Mind expanding on that concept?

CHINYERE UKWU, BLUE MANGO:

We just wanted to make sure that all businesses provide accomodations.

MALIK MIKHAIL, BLUE MANGO:

When you say “ADA police”, you might think we’d come out guns blazing. That’s not what we’re doing at all!

[Melissa chuckles]

MELISSA YINGST:

Yes, you’re right.

MALIK MIKHAIL, BLUE MANGO:

We’re doing more of a liberal approach. We want to check and see if a business is providing accommodations and can verify that they are in compliance. This is meant to keep them in check so we can also do our part in keeping the community in check.

MELISSA YINGST:

You want all of us to have positive experiences whenever we’re going to public places knowing that they provide the accommodations you need. With your concept, we can go to your app to check the reviews on these public places?

CHINYERE UKWU, BLUE MANGO:

Yes, it saves your time and your energy. It makes things less frustrating for the users.

MELISSA YINGST:

Definitely.

MALIK MIKHAIL, BLUE MANGO:

It’s important and it’s like GreenBook, it shows a list of accessible places for people like African Americans where they feel like they can be safe. It’s the same idea with our app, we don’t want our community to go through a variety of frustrations because they’re getting no accommodations or accessibility that they need. So we want to make sure that people get what they need. That’s what our app can do for everyone else!

[Logo: Gally’s Greenhouse]

Clean and organized. No dirt and there’s no use of soil. We use hydroponic systems.

SYRUS SCOFIELD, GALLY’S GREENHOUSE: (during pitch)

There’s a lot of accessibility and also I’ve collaborated with the owner.

MELISSA YINGST: (during interview)

What do you envision for your concept, Gally’s Greenhouse?

SYRUS SCOFIELD, GALLY’S GREENHOUSE:

Well, we really just wanted to create change because we’re always seeing the same problems with pollution in the area. There was nothing being organized and we didn’t really know what was happening. So we wanted to set up something that’s more visual for children and people to help them understand things like how their food grows, that’s pretty much the reason.

KYLE SEXTON, GALLY’S GREENHOUSE:

I’d really like to know where my food is coming from. Growing your own food is the most healthy route you could go into. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has their own greenhouse so why shouldn’t we have one too?!

MELISSA YINGST:

That’s true!

[Logo: Thinking Hands]

KARINA BAKER, THINKING HANDS: (during business pitch)

You can make your own edits and use resources to watch your student’s progress and whether understand the content.

JULIO DIAZ, THINKING HANDS:

40% have been passing tests while 70% are from residential schools for deaf students.

MELISSA YINGST: (interviewing)

You just finished your pitch so how do you feel now?!

KARINA BAKER, THINKING HANDS:

Relieved that it’s over!

MELISSA YINGST:

Yes, I’m sure!

JULIO DIAZ, THINKING HANDS:

Finally. I wanted to hit the reset button.

MELISSA YINGST:

I can do that for you! Would you mind sharing your business’ vision?

KARINA BAKER, THINKING HANDS:

Our business is called Thinking Hands which is an online education platform for Deaf and hard of hearing students who want to get ahead in K-12 education. Teachers can use this as a supplemental tool for students to use in the classroom or to bring home so these students will get the additional support they need. Our Deaf and hard of hearing communities have a critical need for videos full of sign language!

MELISSA YINGST:

Very cool!

[Logo: Fiore Signing Bartenders]

JEFFREY SPINALE, FIORE: (during pitch)

Bartenders

JARED SPINALE, FIORE: (during pitch)

Brothers

MELISSA YINGST: (interviewing)

What’s your vision for the Fiore Signing Bartenders?!

JARED SPINALE, FIORE:

My vision is to startup a mobile bartending service. Instead of people coming to our bar, we’ll come to you! Whether it’s a private or a public event, we want to be the one to host your event!

JEFFREY SPINALE, FIORE:

When we serve our signature drinks, we make sure that all these drinks have a flower in them.

MELISSA YINGST: (now solo)

Wow, all 6 teams did great with their pitches. The audience has listened and have now voted for the winner of the Crowd’s Favorite award! The judges are now deliberating for the top 3 finalists. I’m really excited to see who wins the money to grow their business idea!

[Cut to B-roll: Blue Mango wins 3rd Place]

PERSEUS MCDANIEL:

Whoo! Congratulations on winning $2,000. Such a good job!

[Cut to B-roll: Fiore Signing Bartenders wins 2nd place]

PERSEUS MCDANIEL:

Whoa! Congratulations! Congratulations to you on winning $3,000!

[Cut to B-roll: Thinking Hands wins 1st place]

PERSEUS MCDANIEL:

They win a big check plus they get an even bigger plaque!

[Hands over plaque]

Here are your First Place Winners!

MELISSA YINGST: (now interviewing)

What an amazing event! Big thanks go out to Convo and the GIEI for making this event possible. Why was it important to you two to take on this supporting role?