Miami, July 6, 2016 – The Idea Center at Miami Dade College (MDC) recently launched its first CREATE Product Development Program, which lasts 16 weeks and provides students with the opportunity to validate their venture ideas and develop a working prototype ready to market. The inaugural CREATE cohort included 12 students under the leadership of strategic consultant and startup expert, Gustavo Grande.
CREATE students had the opportunity to participate in the Student Track of the American Entrepreneurship Awards sponsored by the Libra Group. Hakeem Muhammad, Founder & CEO of Loudhouse, also an MDC student and part of the CREATE program, was named the winner among many competitors
CREATE has also taken a valuable element into consideration – a mentor relationship. The Mentoring Initiative connects students with successful entrepreneurs and executives from the community to share knowledge, advice, support, and guide students throughout the program.
“It’s really exciting to have these talented mentors now connected with The Idea Center and adding value to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem” said Leandro Finol, The Idea Center’s executive director.
The mentors include Andre Do Valle, Bureau Translations; Andre Miranda, Obi Worldphone; Della Heiman, The Wynwood Yard & Della Test Kitchen; Emiliano Abramzon, Nearpod; Fernando Vasconez, Rovio Entertainment Ltd.; Jorge Olazabal, JMOD Group Inc.; Les Campbell, Campbell & Associates; Lou Wolfson, Stern Bloom Media; Luciana Reznik, Wolox; Luis Fernandez, Aretto LLC, Roberto Laub, Investor Consultant & Angel Investor; Sam Cohen, Latam, Airbnb; and Sari Azout, Rokk3r Labs.