Eight finalists will compete for $100K in funding in finale event on April 4, and each will be paired with an industry mentor to develop their venture.

The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) announcesthis year’s eight finalists for the third annual UP/Start Venture Competition, who were selected from over 20 applicants representing 15 undergraduate and graduate programs following their presentations at a “pop up and pitch” event on Friday, Feb. 2.The business ventures of the eight finalists represent a diverse range of industries and ideas, including sustainable furniture production, virtual art gallery and sales, indie game development, multimedia production and medical illustration, among others.Seed funding totaling $100,000, funded with support from the Philip E. and Carol R. Ratcliffe Foundation, will be allocated to the finalists who present the most compelling and innovative entrepreneurial ventures at a finale event on Wednesday, April 4, at MICA’s Falvey Hall, Brown Center, 1301 W. Mt. Royal Ave.A key benefit to the program is that finalists are each paired with an industry leader or investor (to be announced at a later date) as a mentor to refine their business plans and presentation skills.The finalists were selected by a panel of judges comprised of local business and investment leaders, including Brian Ellis, director, Ratcliffe Foundation; Kohli Flick ’04 (Environmental Design B.F.A.), owner, Becket Hitch; Ken Malone, principal, Early Charm Ventures; Alex Riehm, director, Social Innovation Lab, Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures; and Angela Singleton, portfolio manager, TEDCO.An initiative of MICApreneurship, spearheaded by the Joseph Meyerhoff Center for Career Development, UP/Start focuses on building creative business ventures within the College community, and provides capital and mentorship with industry partners to help nurture ideas into sustainable businesses. The competition is open to MICA students in the class of 2018 and alumni from the class of 2017.For more information about UP/Start, visit micapreneurship.com.The 2018 UP/Start Finalists:

The Longform

• The Longform is a subscription-based content provider covering video games, comics and related media. Founded by Interactive Arts B.F.A. student J.S. Gleason, Nick Clinkscales ’17 (Interactive Arts B.F.A.) and Interactive Arts B.F.A. student Ash Turner.

Chameleon Gallery

• Chameleon Gallery focuses on exhibiting, promoting, distributing and selling virtual artwork using blockchain technology and cryptocurrency for sales. Founded by LeRoy E. Hoffberger School of Painting M.F.A. student Yi-An Pan and Mount Royal School of Art M.F.A. student Haoran Chang.

Boba Studios

• Boba Studios creates games that combine the novel concepts, polished production and a high replay value of major studio titles with the handcrafted feel and price point of indie games. Founded by Ashley Guchhait ’17 (Interactive Arts B.F.A.), Donald Boose ’17 (Interactive Arts B.F.A.), Animation B.F.A. student Kyrstin Cooksey and T.J. Martin.

Social Butterfly

• Founded by Christina Hyrkas ’17 (Graphic Design B.F.A.), Social Butterfly is a collection of party products, such as napkins, cups and balloons, which are designed with a lighthearted tone to take the anxiety out of social gatherings.

Rising Action Studio

• Rising Action Studio helps change makers and nonprofits tell imaginative, inspiring and ethical stories about social impact movements around the world. Founded by M.A. Social Design student Ashley Eberhart.

VellPapel

• VellPapel is a creator of low-cost and environmentally sustainable furniture dedicated to providing short-term living solutions. The product line focuses on furniture made out of cardboard for minimal environmental impact. Founded by M.B.A./M.A. Design Leadership student Brent Aguilar and Jennifer Smith.

Fairman Studios

• Founded by Jennifer Fairman ‘17 (Business of Art and Design M.P.S.), the studio produces visual communications for the health sciences industry, and is launching a new website, anatomicalillustration.com, which will enable clients to procure licenses to use their medical illustrations.

Pokdo Studio

• Founded by Paul Lai ’17 (Photography B.F.A.) and Fiber B.F.A. student Claire Cho, Pokdo Studio is a multifaceted media production company offering virtual reality, photography, audio/DJ, video and graphic design services.

Founded in 1826, Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is the oldest continuously degree-granting college of art and design in the nation. The College enrolls over 3,000 undergraduate, graduate and continuing studies students from 49 states and 65 countries in fine arts, design, electronic media, art education, liberal arts, and professional studies degree and non-credit programs. With art and design programs ranked in the top ten by U.S. News and World Report, MICA is pioneering interdisciplinary approaches to innovation, research, and community and social engagement. Alumni and programming reach around the globe, even as MICA remains a cultural cornerstone in the Baltimore/Washington region, hosting hundreds of exhibitions and events annually by students, faculty and other established artists.