This article has been graciously provided by Marc Changnon, Entrepreneurship Facilitator, at Parkland College.

CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) –  Winner Jaden Recker’s business plan, Recker’s Mowing Service, became a reality at this May’s CobraVenture Pitch Showcase.

“I always knew I wanted to own my own business,” the Gibson City resident said. “Around the same time my father mentioned starting a mowing business together, Marc Changnon came to my Introduction to Entrepreneurship class and told us about CobraVenture.”

Parkland’s Entrepreneurial Network (PEN) held its fifth CobraVenture Pitch Showcase on May 20 in the Student Union, where Recker competed with five other students. Recker won $3,000 in seed money to get his business started.

“Working full time, attending school full time, running a business, and being a good husband and father is very taxing both physically and mentally,” he said. “Winning Student Entrepreneur of the Year was much needed validation that all my hard work is paying off. The boost in confidence is just the thing I need to push through and continue on this journey.”

The 2024 cohort includes second place winner Lucius Tran; third place winner Grace Bailey; fourth place winner Tania Spates; and fifth place winners Romanic Hall and Joe Smith. Recker expressed his admiration for his pitch contest competitors.

“Every student in the 2023–2024 cohort had a great business idea and deserved to win just as much as I did, if not more,” Recker said. “I truly feel that we started out strangers and ended up family.”

The pitch contest highlights students from the CobraVenture student accelerator lab, which began in January 2024. The semester-long accelerator provides students with an avenue for networking and business mentorship, featuring collaborative workspaces, topics taught by local serial entrepreneurs, and one-on-one guidance with business mentors.

Judging the competition was Madeleine Wolske, director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation; Marissa Siero, associate director of entrepreneurship programming at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Grainger College of Engineering; and Julie Weishar, department chair for Parkland College Fine and Applied Arts.

“The thing I enjoyed most about CobraVenture was the network I grew throughout the program, including my fellow cohort, all the amazing speakers, and most importantly, Mr. Changnon, who has already had a huge impact on my entrepreneurial journey,” Recker said.

Parkland College thanks the following businesses and individuals for supporting CobraVenture’s next generation of entrepreneurs: Busey Bank, Clanin Marketing, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Gies College of Business, It’s a Wrap Automotive, ShawLuxe Premier Renovations, Libman Company, and Mark and Tammy Kesler.

CobraVenture is funded through sponsors, existing funds from the Parkland Foundation Entrepreneurial Founders Program, and those raised through its annual Entrepreneur of the Year event. CobraVenture is a collaboration of the Office of the Vice President for Strategic Partnerships and Workforce Innovation, Parkland College Community Education, and the Parkland College Foundation.

The CobraVenture Program at Parkland College, coordinated by Mark Changon, is designed to foster entrepreneurship among students. Established in July 2018, the program was initiated by Parkland leaders to promote entrepreneurial skills and provide structured support for students interested in starting their businesses.

Overview of the Program

Mark Changon, with extensive experience in financial planning and two decades of teaching, leads the program. His background uniquely positions him to guide students through the complexities of entrepreneurship.

The application process starts in the fall. An advisory team of 18 members, comprising nine faculty members and nine community members, reviews the applications in November. They select 12-14 candidates for the program.

The program is open to any student taking at least three hours of college credits in both the fall and spring semesters. It is not a credit-bearing course but an extracurricular workshop series aimed at helping students develop comprehensive business plans.

Program Structure

The program includes evening workshops held every two weeks, each lasting two hours. These sessions are designed to provide practical knowledge and hands-on experience in business planning and development.

Participants benefit from the expertise of the advisory team and have the opportunity to build a network of mentors and peers. This support system is crucial for both the development of their business ideas and their personal growth as entrepreneurs.

By the end of the program, students complete an executive summary and a pitch showcase. These elements not only demonstrate their understanding of business planning but also equip them with a tangible plan and a supportive network to help bring their business ideas to fruition.

The CobraVenture Program offers students a unique opportunity to gain entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, regardless of their age or background. It provides a structured yet flexible environment where they can explore their business ideas, receive mentorship, and build a professional network, ultimately preparing them for entrepreneurial success.

This article has been graciously provided by Marc Changnon, Entrepreneurship Facilitator, at Parkland College.