An All-Female Team of Future Entrepreneurs Wins SuitUp “Battle of the Boroughs” Competition

| Dec 14, 2023 | Gabelli School of Business

Eight teams focused on building NYC communities with business concepts that included events and initiatives across nine industry sectors

On December 12, 2023, hundreds of NYC high school students, from across the boroughs, descended upon Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business to participate in the SuitUp “Battle of the Boroughs” competition, which aims to diversify the talent pipeline in the financial services sector by engaging students in an exercise that introduced them to the world of finance by creating a product or service that celebrates the myriad of cultures and builds a sense of community in New York City.

Dean Lerzan Aksoy addresses students from across NYC high schools

SuitUp, a nonprofit entity that strives to increase career readiness for all students through innovative business plan competitions, has partnered with the Fordham Foundry, Fordham University’s hub for innovation and entrepreneurship within the Fordham University Gabelli School of Business. Executives from Allspring Global Investments, Apollo Global Management, Ares Management, Brown Brothers Harriman, Goldman Sachs, HAP Capital, Insight Partners, Santander Bank, and Global Atlantic Financial Group coached the students and helped them develop ideas for start-ups that would provide products or services designed to bring New Yorkers together and/or improve their quality of life.

Valerie Vazquez, first deputy commissioner, NYC Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, attended the semi-final rounds of the competition and acknowledged the importance it plays by making the following statement:

“SuitUp and Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business ‘Battle of the Boroughs’ competition provides NYC students with an opportunity to delve into the world of finance but also challenges them to create innovative solutions to build a stronger New York City. Collaborations like these play a pivotal role to prepare our youth for the future. Congratulations to all participants!”

(l to r) Bill Colona, assistant vice president, government relations, federal and urban affairs, Fordham University; Valerie Vazquez, first deputy commissioner, NYC Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit; and Lauren Reilly, executive director and co-founder of SuitUp, chat with a student team preparing for the competition

The winning team from St. Jean Baptiste High School, in Manhattan, was an all-female group that provided a comprehensive business plan for a company called Spectrum NYC that would focus on events and initiatives across nine main business sectors, which would serve to bring NYC-based communities and businesses together. Their presentation included detailed financials and strong examples of the ways in which they would execute their plan.

The event marked the second collaboration between SuitUp and Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business and aligns closely with the School’s mission and vision of utilizing business as a catalyst for impactful change across New York City and around the world.