HIGH POINT, N.C., April 1, 2012 - Seth Gold, who graduated from High Point University on May 5 with a degree in entrepreneurship and marketing, is gaining a lot of attention thanks to a company he started last year called Bamboo Apparel. Gold won the top honor in the Social Enterprise category at the Charlotte Venture Challenge held in April.

Held at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, Gold was among the 18 finalists who qualified to compete in the event from an initial field of 117 original entrants. As part of the competition, Seth was required to make his five minute presentation before a panel of venture capitalists and take part in five minutes of rapid-fire questions.

His first place earnings included $3,000 plus services and office space as part of the Charlotte Venture Challenge - a competition that challenges start-up businesses to pitch their ideas to a panel of experienced investors.

Gold's company offers T-shirts made of 70 percent bamboo that are created through sustainable methods that allow consumers to reduce their carbon footprint. For every T-shirt purchased, Gold and his team matches the sale with a donation of a T-shirt to an orphanage around the world. He started the company after competing in HPU's first Business Plan Competition where he won first place and $5,000 in start up funds.

"As an entrepreneur, it is great experience anytime you have a chance to give a presentation to a group of angel investors," states Gold. "To be selected as a winner at the end of the day was great because it lets you walk away with more confidence for the next opportunity."

He notes that the challenge was a surreal experience.

"I have competed in a few other business competitions, but always against other college students," Gold says. "This time, I was competing against other start-ups created by adults, students, seasoned entrepreneurs...everyone. To be able to compete against such high-caliber companies and people, and win our category really brings a lot of confidence to Bamboo Apparel, and to our mission and what we are working to accomplish."

Gold says competing for prizes is only part of why he participates in these competitions, though.

"Sometimes, the networking at these events is worth its weight in gold," he notes. "We met some amazing people that include marketers, mentors, investors and future partners."

He says participating in the Business Plan Competition at HPU in 2011, where he won second place and $5,000 in start up funds truly helped him for the Charlotte Venture Challenge event.

"High Point University's Business Plan Competition was my very first challenge, and I remember how nervous I was then. ... I got in there, and as soon as I started, I could hear my voice shaking. Now, I have the confidence in what I am doing and my company. When I go to speak or compete, I am nowhere near nervous and am there to tell the audience the story of my company. Practice makes perfect, and HPU's competition was part of that."

Following graduation, Gold says he plans to focus 100 percent of his energy to Bamboo Apparel out of Raleigh, and hopes to work closely with area colleges and universities.

"We are starting to work with Greek Life at the schools and their events to bring their mission of philanthropy to our mission of combining clothing and philanthropy into one. ... I am ready and am building the relationships to really take the company to new heights and help a lot of people in need in the making."

For more information about Bamboo Apparel, visit http://www.bamboogivesback.com/.

At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people.℠ HPU, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is a liberal arts institution with over 4,200 undergraduate and graduate students at campuses in High Point and Winston-Salem. It is ranked by US News and World Report at No. 3 among Regional Colleges in the South. Parade Magazine lists HPU in the top 25 private schools in the nation. HPU was selected in the 2010-2011 list of "Colleges of Distinction," as well as one of the top green schools in the country by the Sierra Club. The university offers 44 undergraduate majors, 40 undergraduate minors and 10 graduate degree programs. It is a member of the NCAA, Division I and the Big South Conference. Visit High Point University on the Web at highpoint.edu.

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