What started as a business class project at Brock University quickly became a multi- million dollar venture for alumnus Steven Sal Debus (BBA ’95). Modrobes, the lounge “exam pants,” grew in popularity throughout the ’90s. With a successful bid on CBC’s Dragon’s Den in 2009, Sal Debus was able to relaunch his company as a sustainable clothing line.
On Feb. 27, Sal Debus will join an esteemed panel of Niagara business and community leaders to hear from the top five finalists for Brock University Students’ Union Blueprint program.
The Blueprint program is designed to give undergraduates and recent alumni the chance to develop and grow their entrepreneurial ideas and businesses. Blueprint has created a unique opportunity by providing students with business advice and mentorship. It is much more than a business competition.
All Blueprint applicants have been screened and the top five finalists have been chosen. Each finalist will have 10 minutes to pitch their ideas to the panel of judges, including:
Brian McMullan: Mayor of St. Catharines
Nick DiPietro: Executive Director, Niagara Venture Forum; Executive-in-Residence, nGen; Brock University Board of Trustees member
Steven Sal Debus: Founder of Modrobes Casual Clothing, honoured as an Alumni of Distinction 2012, participant on Dragon’s Den
Heather Finn: BUSU president
Angelo Nitsopoulos: COO Heart of Niagara Hotels
After the pitches, our panel will decide the top winners. There is up to $16,000 in prize money available to these Brock entrepreneurs.
The event is from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Isaac’s in the Student Alumni Centre. If you are interested in sitting in on any of these pitches, or learning about mentoring students through their business ventures, please email jcrawford@brocku.ca. If you would like to attend this free event, please RSVP by going to the link below:
