October 9, 2019
Student Inventor Places in African Entrepreneurship Summit Competition
Michael Abobar Wins Second Place for Pitching Long-lasting Marker Pen
MEDIA CONTACT: Damita Chambers, dchambers@bowiestate.edu, 301-832-2628 mobile
(BOWIE, Md.) – A Bowie State University student inventor won second in a regional pitch competition at the 3rd annual African Diaspora Entrepreneurship Summit, which encourages entrepreneurship in the regional Pan-African community and provides innovators with funding and other vital resources to start, grow or expand their businesses.
Michael Abobor ('04), a student in the Doctor of Science in computer science program, pitched the business idea for his invention, Xtended Yus Markers, which he developed with faculty mentor and biology faculty Dr. Eric Bonsu during the 2018 Summer Launch Program hosted by the BSU Entrepreneurship Academy[BROKEN LINK]. Abobar captivated the judges with the details of his invention, a long-lasting marker pen. Oluwole Ajayi, a 2019 BSU graduate from the master’s degree in management information systems program, also participated in the competition.
BSU College of Business adjunct faculty member Jainaba Ceesay moderated a panel on the importance of mentorship and strategic partnerships and was a panelist for a discussion on the legal considerations of starting a business. Ceesay is a BSU Entrepreneurship facilitator and teaches entrepreneurship courses.
Opportunities like the entrepreneurship summit are part of the diverse experiences students can receive then they join the Entrepreneurship Academy. The program not only prepares students to compete in local, regional and national pitch competitions, but it also provides resources and opportunities for all BSU innovative thinkers who are interested in developing a business.
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Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.