May 5, 2026

Forsyth Tech is proud to congratulate former student Alejandra Vita Flagranti, who has been selected as part of the inaugural statewide cohort for the SBCN Startup Showdown, powered by the Wells Fargo Foundation.

The North Carolina Community College System announced that 18 entrepreneurs from across the state were chosen for the first cohort of the new statewide entrepreneurship program. The SBCN Startup Showdown is led by the North Carolina Small Business Center Network and was created to identify, support and lift up emerging business talent through local engagement, regional review and statewide selection.

The inaugural program drew 316 applicants from across North Carolina. Local Small Business Centers provided more than 1,050 hours of pre-application business counseling and technical support to help entrepreneurs strengthen their business ideas, prepare submissions and move through the review process.

As a Forsyth Tech Small Business Center client, Alejandra will represent the college and the Piedmont Triad region as part of the cohort. Participants will now move into the next phase of the program, which includes business launch training, advanced pitch coaching and preparation for a statewide awards event on September 17. During that event, final winners will be announced, and $60,000 in unrestricted startup funding will be awarded.

As part of the program, cohort members will also take part in an eight-week Pitch It! training experience. The training is designed to guide participants through key steps in starting a business while helping them build practical knowledge, strengthen presentation skills and prepare for their final pitch to judges in August.

The full inaugural cohort includes entrepreneurs representing community colleges and regions across North Carolina:

Dr. Jennifer Smith, Bladen Community College
Kristin Wells, Blue Ridge Community College
Kevin Miller, Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
Anna Barrett and Kevin Roberts, Cape Fear Community College
Julia Blazinic, Central Piedmont Community College
Stacie Norris, Cleveland Community College
Dan Spangler, Coastal Carolina Community College
Justin Thibidoux, College of the Albemarle
Craig Woodall, Edgecombe Community College
Alejandra Vita Flagranti, Forsyth Tech
Celeste Williams and Amelia Menston-Sambola, Guilford Technical Community College
Jenna Washburn Bailey, Isothermal Community College
Phil McNutt, Montgomery Community College
Logan Miller, Pitt Community College
Lisa Jeffries Nobling, Wake Tech Community College
Victoria Gadbois, Wilkes Community College

Forsyth Tech congratulates Alejandra on this honor and looks forward to cheering her on as she continues through the SBCN Startup Showdown process. Her selection reflects the creativity, drive and entrepreneurial spirit found across our student body and throughout the Piedmont Triad.