Nikolaus Houghton Participates in Collegiate LaunchVT Event

2016 Mar 3

Castleton student Nikolaus Houghton was a recent participant in the Collegiate LaunchVT event.

College and university students representing eight schools from around Vermont competed for cash awards in the first-ever Collegiate LaunchVT business pitch competition on February 19, 2016 at Champlain College. Castleton University students Nik Houghton, Hollie Byrne and Conner Johnson represented the Rutland region.

The students hoped to attract investments that would help them establish the Bear Mountain Maple Company. They are looking for support to build a website and establish distribution channels for their maple syrup to consumer markets in Europe. The students developed their pitch in consultation with Sarah Kearns of the Vermont Small Business Development Center.

"Nik, Hollie and Conner did us proud," said Castleton University Dean of Entrepreneurial Programs Lyle Jepson, "Vermonters are coming together through events like Collegiate LaunchVT to recognize and support young entrepreneurs like them. They are the future business leaders of Vermont, and our future is bright."