Entrepreneur of the Year Award Print E-mail

The ELI Institute annually awards prominent and exceptional on-campus entrepreneurs the prestigious “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award. This great honor seeks to highlight students at Howard University that have built impactful and worthwhile business ventures, excelled in academics, and exhibited a meaningful dedication to the community at-large through service. The award is announced annually at the “Building the Entrepreneurial Dream” Awards Dinner in April at Howard University.

2009 "Entrepreneur of the Year"

Lawrence Elliott Ball
Lawrence is a current senior in the School of Business. Majoring in Supply Chain Management, Lawrence has developed several business concepts since his freshman year which have elevated him to national recognition as an innovator. In 2008, he was award 1st place in the ELI Institutes Business Plan Competition, in 2009, he was a national finalist for the Ford HBCU Business Classic winning a total of $30,000 as the 1st prize winner.

Lawrence currently operates a marketing communications firm called “Meshu Creative Services” that specializes in developing cost-effective Customer Relationship Management (CRM) applications. The company also has divisions devoted to Web Development, Design, Photography, as well as Printing & Duplication.

Apply for the 2010 Award

Applications for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award will be made available in January 2010.Interested applications should be aware of the following selection criterion:

  1. ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT: Clearly indicate and provide with concrete examples your experience as entrepreneur, why you elected to start your own business, how entrepreneurship affects your career goals, how you manage your business with your academics and personal life. (50%)
  2. BUSINESS VIABILITY: Present an overview of your business, its capacity, and why it is a viable and sustainable venture.  (40 %)
  3. COMMUNITY SERVICE: Document involvement in community organizations or programs. (10%)