Every week, the Sports Information Department at Purchase will select a new student-athlete, coach/staff or event to highlight in our "In the Panther Spotlight" feature … today's feature: Purchase Student-Athlete Max Pearce Enjoying Success on the court and in the classroom, where he's the winner first annual Purchase College Startup Pitching Competition

Purchase, NY (Feb. 9, 2018) – Slam dunk artist Max Pearce could soon be garnering headlines as the next NCAA dunk comp champion, but in the meantime, the senior is making waves on the hardwood and in the classroom.

The economics major recently won first prize in the first annual Purchase College Startup Pitching Competition (pictured below), modeled on the popular ABC show Shark Tank.

The contest was part of assistant professor of economics Liya Palagashvili's class Entrepreneurship and Finance: Turning Ideas Into Startups.

Pearce (SR/Tuckahoe, NY) is founder of Flynance, a startup organization that helps young athletes navigate the complex world of collegiate and professional sports while learning basic pocketbook economics. Pearce received the $5,000 award from Palagashvili along with his co-founder Derick Ansah '17 (economics), another former Panther hoopster.
 
"Max was one of my first recruits and within minutes during his visit to campus I was hoping he would join us because of how mature, intelligent and grounded he was," Purchase head coach Kyle Martin said of Pearce.

"He was our coaches' award winner last year and is one of the most consistent student-athletes I've ever coached," Martin added. "Max's great attitude and work ethic as a member of our team is no different off the court. He had mastered time management. Juggling being a captain of the basketball team; an All-Skyline Academic Honor Roll member; interning at a major financial firm; and jump starting his own business. I am positive Max will be successful in the next stage of his life."

The grant award was facilitated by GenFKD, a not-for-profit organization designed to increase young Americans' understanding of financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and the skills necessary for careers in the new economy. The organization aims to help young adults better understand the new economy and provide better outcomes for students after graduation.

The second place award of $2,000 was presented to Liam Nethercott '18 (economics) for a campus food delivery service concept, SUNY Purchase Delivers. Nethercott (SR/Amenia, NY) is a standout member of Purchase's men's soccer team.

Pearce and Nethercott thanked the panel for selecting them. The senior basketball star said he's elated.

"Flynance is a nonprofit organization that I have created that will provide programs for student-athletes to receive the tools, skills and resources that are necessary to be successful outside of sports. We have gained the support of several notable people including former NBA star Allan Houston, Bronxville Mayor Mary Marvin and more."

It's been an exciting few months for Pearce, who is also slated to be among the dark horse dunkers final field vote for the State Farm College Slam Dunk Contest. If he wins that too, he could be heading to March Madness for the competition. His men's team is also currently 15-7 overall and heading to the postseason, where they could be in position to hoist another Skyline Conference Championship and join him in March Madness.

As for his victory in the classroom, the startup pitching competition was the culmination of the course co-taught by Palagashvili and GenFKD's entrepreneur-in-residence Vadim Revzin. The course focused on entrepreneurship and career-readiness through an intensive curriculum developed by GenFKD that included storytelling, networking, data analysis, budgeting and finance, pitching, leadership, negotiation strategies, taxes and regulation.

"Our Purchase students are so full of creativity and great ideas, and we're thrilled to work with GenFKD and help students bring their business ideas to fruition," Palagashvili said in a press release.

The "sharks" were a diverse group of entrepreneurs who provided invaluable feedback after each student presentation. Among them were:
•             Danny Nardo, co-founder of Nardo's Naturals (who received an investment from Barbara Corcoran on ABC's "Shark Tank")
•             Joe Bayen, an experienced entrepreneur and founder of Lenny Credit
•             David Liu, of the XO Group Inc. (formerly The Knot)
•             Sarah Hill, CEO of Bookstr
•             Courtney Cachet, television personality and celebrity designer
•             Nick Ohnell, philanthropist and founder of Ohnell Capital (founder and former CEO of Communications Supply Corp)
•             Justin Dent, executive director, GenFKD

The Purchase Startup Pitching Competition and the Entrepreneurship Class were made possible by a generous donation from Nancy Decking.

-With Purchase College Communications and Creative Services