DANAE Inc., Dandelion Wine Collective and Zee Bait Co. were the top prize winners of the Maryland Institute College of Art’s (MICA) second annual UP/Start Venture Competition. 

As announced at the finale event on April 13, illustration and comics focused micro-publisher Dandelion Wine Collective, founded by Paloma Hernando '17 (Illustration) and Bekky Shin '17 (Illustration), and bass fishing bait and lure manufacturer Zee Bait Co., founded by Hunter Grogan '14 (Environmental Design) and '16 (Business of Art and Design), were each awarded $25,000 in seed funding.

DANAE Inc., a manufacturer of 3D printed, customizable prosthetic covers that was founded by Winston Frazer '16 (Painting), was awarded $20,000 and an additional $5,000 for the People’s Choice Award. 

Seed funding was also awarded to Guitars by Evil Evil ($20,000), a custom guitar fabrication business founded by Benjamin Torres '15 (General Fine Arts) and '16 (Post Bacc. Graphic Design) and Ian Murphy '15 (Painting), and LiFE Arts ($10,000), a bilingual literature publisher for pre-school through elementary school children founded by Joyce Anitagrace '16 (Mount Royal School of Art) and Cécile Accilien.

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. 

“UP/Start is a truly trendsetting event among art and design schools, and the competition shows MICA’s commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit at the College and in Baltimore,” said MICA President Samuel Hoi at the event.

Made possible through funding from the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation, which recently extended its partnership with MICA to support the competition through 2021, this year’s UP/Start contest began Feb. 3, with 30 applicants representing 22 MICA programs at a “pop up and pitch” event. In the weeks leading up tonight’s finale, the eight finalists worked closely with individual mentors from the Baltimore business community to hone their presentations and business pitches.

A panel of judges composed of local business and community leaders selected the five winning teams. This year’s judges included John Cammack, managing partner, Cammack Associates LLC; Carole R. Ratcliffe, Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation; Hakim Dyer, partner, Dyer Bermingham; Michele Speaks, vice president of advancement, Family League of Baltimore City, Inc.; Tim Train, CEO and co-founder, Big Huge Games; and David Wise, venture advisor, The Abell Foundation.

Additionally, Hoi announced a new partnership between the College and Baltimore Arts Realty Corporation (BARCO) to establish a six-month entrepreneur-in-residence program at Open Works, a community-oriented maker space. The residency will be available to five MICA students, and includes dedicated studio space and access to Open Works’ fabrication facilities, including a metal shop, wood shop, 3D printing studio and electronics lab.

“This partnership will help to facilitate accessible career paths for students, and these new opportunities will keep talented makers in Baltimore, contributing to the city’s creative and entrepreneurial economy,” said Hoi.

2017 UP/START WINNERS: 

DANAE, INC. 

Danae, Inc. provides customizable, 3D printed prosthetic covers created from a 3D scan of the user’s original limb to mimic the shape of an amputee’s leg.  The company team includes its founder Winston Frazer '16 (Painting), Andrew George, Austin Peppel, August Bender, Collin Fujii, Janey Partin and Gregory Dorvil.

 

DANDELION WINE COLLECTIVE

Founded by Paloma Hernando '17 (Illustration) and Bekky Shin '17 (Illustration), Dandelion Wine Collective (DWC) is an illustration and comics focused micro-publisher that works directly with independent creators to publish, market and sell their original work.

 

GUITARS BY EVIL EVIL

Founded by Benjamin Torres '15 (General Fine Arts) and '16 (Post Bacc. Graphic Design) and Ian Murphy '15 (Painting), Evil Evil produces a distinct line of handmade, high-end electric guitars and basses that mix classical and experimental instrument design, and are customized to meet the playing style and aesthetics of the musician. 

LiFE ARTS, LITERACY FOR EVERYONE 

LiFE Arts publishes bilingual literature in various languages for pre-school through elementary school children and their families. Its books promote the benefits of living in a diverse, equitable and inclusive society. Founded by Joyce Anitagrace '16 (Mount Royal School of Art) and Cécile Accilien.

ZEE BAIT CO. 

Zee Bait Co. LLC is a Pennsylvania-based company specializing in the design, manufacturing and sales of premium soft bait and terminal tackle for bass fishing. Founded by Hunter Grogan '14 (Environmental Design) and '16 (Business of Art and Design).