The Carroll Biz Challenge

Congratulations to BierBath, the 2024 Carroll Biz Challenge winner!

The Carroll Biz Challenge, now in its 15th year, is the marquee event of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and showcases local entrepreneurs. It gives them the exciting opportunity to pitch their new business ideas, make great connections, get loads of publicity, and compete serious prizes:

$10,000 cash Grand Prize (plus additional prizes worth thousands more)
$2,026 People’s Choice Award
$2,000 United Way of Central Maryland Changemaker Challenge Award

Dozens of local entrepreneurs will enter.
Five will be chosen to pitch their ideas before a panel of judges and a live audience on August 13.
Only one will win the Grand Prize.

Come to the Kick-off on February 19 at 5PM at Carroll Community College. The application period will open immediately after.

The Process

Apply

February 19 – May 31
Submit your business idea through our simple application portal.

Meet & Greet

June 23, 6-8 PM
Meet the other contestants, the judges and the sponsors. Appetizers and drinks generously provided my the TownMall of Westminster.
Register

5 Finalists Chosen

Mid-July
The advisory committee embarks on the always-grueling task of choosing only five finalists from all the contestants.

The Live Finale

August 13, 5 PM
The five finalists take the stage and pitch their ideas. The audience votes for the $2,026 People’s Choice Award and the judges deliberate and choose the grand prize winner.
Get Tickets!

The Criteria

The following 10 categories will be used to determine the Final Five Finalists and the Grand Prize Winner.

Innovation
Product/Service Clarity
Market Potential
Competitive Advantage
Future Milestones

Sustainability
Scalability
Leadership
Carroll County Impact
Showmanship

The Grand Prize

Here’s the Grand Prize package as it stands right now. It will most likely increase.

$10,000 CASH

Carroll County Chamber of Commerce // 1-Year Membership
$330

Carroll Biz Challenge // 2027 Platinum Sponsorship
$1,500

127 Creative // 3 Hours of Marketing + Media Services
$570

WTTR // Airtime
$1,000

Jonathan C. Weetman, Attorney at Law // Business Legal Services Package
$500

Brown Plus // Up to 5 hours Accounting and Tax Consulting
$2,600

Miller Resources for Entrepreneurs // 2 Small Business Workshops
$400

Magic // 4 Tech Incubation Meetings
$1,000

BotaniGal // Plant of Choice up to $100
$100

Evan Davis Media //Promo Video
$2,000

Answer Tax & Business // Business Tax Return Preparation
$1,000

Covalent Spirits // Gift Card
$50

Outback Steakhouse // Steak Dinner for 4
$200

Bierbath // Beerspa with Friends
$240

The Chick // 5 Private Yoga Sessions for 3 People
$500

Antietam Broadband // $2000 Voucher toward a Technology & Fiber Stack
$2000

Infinite Love Project // Up to 8′ Be Kind Sign
$250

The Judges

Meet the panel who will decide the fate of the Final 5 at the Live Finale.

Kim Fernandez

Kim Fernandez is the heart and CEO of GIRLKIN Lashes, a chain of luxury eyelash extension salons! In 2018, Kim opened her flagship location in Pikesville, MD. Within 4 years, she expanded her reach by opening 4 more locations in the DMV area.

True to her brand, she is driven to empower others and create leaders in this industry. Kim has taken her business blueprint and developed a successfully proven franchise program, with the first franchise salon opening in 2021 in Georgia and in 2024, Annapolis and Bowie, MD franchise locations. Through this program, franchisees have endless opportunities to grow themselves as leaders with the GIRLKIN brand.

GIRLKIN's mission is to provide an unmatched experience with gorgeous lashes and unbeatable customer service in a glamorously luxurious environment.

Graham Dodge

Graham Dodge is the Vice President, Venture Development at TEDCO where he oversees investment readiness and entrepreneur support services for Maryland’s most promising technology startups. He is an award-winning entrepreneur, author and patented inventor with experience developing systems of intelligence, entrepreneurial ecosystems and open source communities. Through his previous work at the Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory (MAGIC) in Westminster, Maryland he established 1 Million Cups Westminster, the Autonomous Robotics Innovation Center (ARIC), the Westminster Angel Network, and StartUp Lab. While President of the PathCheck Foundation in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he led the development of open source software and standards used by Mayo Clinic, Google Health and the World Health Organization (WHO). As an entrepreneur he co-founded SMGB Technologies, Shield Pals and Sickweather, the latter of which was recognized as one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s 100 Brilliant Companies. He is also a technology accelerator veteran as an alumni of Techstars, 500 Startups, and Plug And Play Tech Center as well as a former mentor to countless other startups through his work at Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures and the National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps (I-CORPS). Graham lives in Westminster, Maryland with his wife and their five kids. He's the author of The Entrepreneur's Dance.

Deb Cancro

Debra Cancro is SVP of Data Products at Bigtincan where she is responsible for developing innovative capabilities to help customers leverage the value of their data. She joined Bigtincan via the acquisition of her AI startup, VoiceVibes, which she founded in 2012 to help people be more effective communicators.

Prior to VoiceVibes, Debra was the founder of Autonomy Engine, LLC, which developed autonomous control systems software. She has over 15 years of marketing and management experience at both startups and Fortune 500 companies. Her background includes product marketing for the Bluetooth and HDMI product lines at the Broadcom Corporation (BRCM) and Member of Technical Staff at AT&T Bell Labs as well as being a stay-at-home mom for 7 years.

The Judges

Meet the panel who will decide the fate of the Final 5 at the Live Finale.

Jason Stambaugh

Jason Stambaugh is the founder and creator of the Carroll Biz Challenge. Since 2010 he has been leading teams to develop and scale enterprise software platforms serving customers in the education, retail, and financial services sectors. He has served as the Director of Partner Experience at DTS Connex, a local tech company transforming daily cash operations for major retailers, restaurants, and banks since 2017.

Based in Westminster, Maryland, Jason has had the opportunity to serve on local non-profit boards and work with community members to launch a variety of local initiatives including Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory (MAGIC). He serves as a Council Member on the McDaniel College Entrepreneurship Advisory Council, a Member of Carroll Hospital Foundations Young Leaders Group, and a Trustee at Hey Westminster.

Kim Fernandez

Kim Fernandez is the heart and owner of GIRLKIN enterprise, a luxury beauty brand built to empower women through beauty, business, and bold ambition. Since launching her lash business in 2016, Kim has transformed GIRLKIN into more than just a salon—it’s a movement. Inspired by her maiden name, GIRLKIN stands for Gainful, Influential, Relentless Ladies Keeping in Network, a philosophy that embodies her mission to uplift and connect ambitious women.

Kim is a multi-hyphenate woman—a visionary entrepreneur, mentor, and mother who believes that women can have it all. She is dedicated to creating pathways for success through technical training, entrepreneurship workshops, and franchising opportunities, ensuring that beauty professionals don’t just build businesses—they build legacies. She has taken her “Pink Print”—a cheeky, feminine twist on the traditional blueprint—and turned it into a roadmap for ambitious women ready to elevate their careers.

More than just a businesswoman, Kim is a transformational leader in the beauty and business communities, bringing over 20 years of expertise in senior management. She values sisterhood, mentorship, and creating lasting opportunities for like-minded individuals to thrive.

Beyond the boardroom, Kim finds purpose in being present—whether it’s volunteering, supporting youth through sports and community activities, or cherishing time with her family. As a devoted wife and mother of four boys and one girl, she embodies the balance of ambition and deep personal fulfillment.

Through GIRLKIN, Kim continues to redefine luxury beauty while empowering women to be gainful, influential, and relentless in pursuit of their dreams—together, keeping in network.

Dr. Angelica Carter

Dr. Angelica Carter founded The LIT Company, a banking equipment rigging business, in 2017. Today, LIT is the preferred installer for marquee financial institutions across seven states including PNC, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Wells Fargo, Navy Federal Credit Union, and Truist—and proudly supports community banks like Sandy Spring Bank, Tower Federal Credit Union, Point Breeze Credit Union, WesBanco, and Farmers & Merchants Bank, both directly and through strategic partnerships. Her husband is her business partner (and rock), and she loves to tease that she’s the hustle, he’s the talent—and hustle always wins when talent doesn’t hustle.

Additionally, Angelica serves as Director of Community Engagement & Employee Development at Carroll Community College, where she leads initiatives that connect skills development with real-world solutions to overcome barriers to growth—both within the college and the broader community. This is especially evident in the Justice System to Careers Initiative, which includes the SBDC’s Pathways to Entrepreneurship program, helping justice-involved individuals gain the training and support needed to create their own sustainable employment.

A Doctor of Business Administration with professional certifications in marketing, HR, coaching, and change management, Angelica is passionate about building pathways for others to succeed—whether through strategic support, mentorship, or a well-timed dose of tough love. If you're willing to do the work, she's excited to help you win.

Tony Gerald

Tony Gerald is the co-owner of Collision Course, which he operates alongside his wife, Ashley Gerald. With a background in restaurant management at Greene Turtle, California Pizza Kitchen, and Rocksalt Grille, Tony brings years of hands-on leadership and operational experience to the business.

Tony attended the Howard University School of Business, where he built a strong foundation in business principles that continue to inform his approach to hospitality and operations. Through Collision Course, he has cultivated strong community ties and meaningful local support, believing deeply in the interconnection of small businesses and the power of collaboration over competition.

Outside of the restaurant, Tony is a proud father to three children - Ahmya, Alexander, and Adelina - who inspire his commitment to building something lasting and community-driven.

Tony lives by the belief that a rising tide lifts all boats, a philosophy that continues to guide his work, partnerships, and impact within the local business community.

The 2026 Finalists

AXOLTL is a cutting-edge AI software company that helps enterprises accelerate decision-making and operational efficiency through scalable computer vision, predictive analytics, and low-code multi-modal data solutions.

Entrepreneur: Chandler Provence

Fine Tuned builds community and culture through music by presenting curated concerts and by providing event production services to engagement-driven organizers.

Entrepreneur: Jake Fine

Family-owned and community-driven, Gilbert’s Premium Jerky crafts never-before-seen flavors using locally sourced ingredients in pursuit of the world’s best beef jerky.

Entrepreneur: Christopher Fong

Puzzle Lady is a whimsical lifestyle brand that blends art and play through beautifully illustrated acrylic puzzles, puzzle-themed gifts, and accessories designed to bring calm, connection, and creativity into the lives of puzzle lovers.

Entrepreneur: Gwen DeGroff

Village West Pilates, located in historic downtown Westminster, is a boutique studio offering small-group and private sessions that blend classical Pilates principles with modern techniques to help men and women of all ages build strength, flexibility, and wellness within a supportive, community-focused environment.