2021 Innovation Challenge Winners Announced

Credit Union West and Glendale Community College Announce Winners of 2021 Innovation Challenge

Credit Union West and Glendale Community College are proud to announce the winners of 2021 Innovation Challenge, an annual competition open to GCC students, where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business or product idea.

“Credit Union West is proud to support this event and provide prize funds to competition winners,” said Karen Roch, President and CEO of Credit Union West. “While every participant worked diligently to present thoughtful and strategic business plans, this year’s winners presented innovative business concepts that demonstrated clear results.”

For the second consecutive year Credit Union West has sponsored the event, providing $5,000 worth of cash prizes to budding entrepreneurs.

The GCC 2021 Innovation Challenge winners are:

• Erik Lujan, the first-place winner, received $2,500
• Preston Miller, the second-place winner, received $1,500
• Pedro Perez, the third-place winner, received $1,000

Lujan, the first-place winner, will represent GCC at The Big Pitch competition on March 24, 2021. The Big Pitch competition winner will receive up to $20,000 in cash and prizes from the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation.

"Our ongoing partnership with Glendale Community College is a point of pride for us,” said Roch. “Helping schools create real-life learning opportunities for students is critical to supporting our community and the next generation of business owners."

Congratulations to the GCC 2021 Innovation Challenge winners! To learn more about how Credit Union West gives back to local communities at www.cuwest.org/givingback.