Massasoit Community College News

Joseph Collett of Hanson takes home top prize of $2,500

BROCKTON, Mass (May 1, 2026) – Yesterday, Massasoit Community College hosted its inaugural Entrepreneurial Challenge powered by Everyday Entrepreneur. The challenge, modeled after the popular Shark Tank television competition show, featured three Massasoit student entrepreneurs presenting their business plans to a panel of expert judges. Joseph Collett, a U.S. Army veteran from Hanson, received the top prize of $2,500 for his proposal to create a reliable secondary marketplace for lab-grown diamonds.

“Entrepreneurship is a core tenant of Massasoit’s business program as members of our community seek new opportunities to learn the skills necessary to operate, manage, and own a business,” said Massasoit President Bill Mitchell. “The Entrepreneurial Challenge exemplifies the outstanding work of our students as they prepare to take the next step in their education or careers.”

The students competed for a share of $6,000, with funding provided by Everyday Entrepreneur, a program of the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, a gift from longtime Massasoit Business Professor Robert Pacheco, and the Massasoit Community College Foundation. Students were given just a few minutes to sway the judges into supporting their business proposal through a presentation and by answering the judges’ questions.

“We are proud of the accomplishments of these three students willing to share their plans with our community in the spirit of friendly competition and entrepreneurship,” said Mitchell. “Thank you to our judges and business faculty for making Massasoit’s Entrepreneurial Challenge possible.”

Massasoit’s Entrepreneurial Challenge highlights the College’s role as an important steppingstone and resource for students and community members seeking to launch their own business or enhance their entrepreneurial skills through affordable, convenient academic programs. Eight of Massasoit’s Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership degree or certificate programs qualify for the Commonwealth’s Free College initiative and are available at no cost for eligible students.

The student entrepreneurs included:

• Joseph Collett of Hanson, a business administration – management student whose business, Collett Gem Exchange (CGX), is “a specialized online resale exchange for verified pre-owned lab-grown diamonds and selected precious metals. The company’s hook is simple: buy carefully, verify professionally, and resell transparently in a market where trust and resale options are still limited.”
• Brandon Condo-Jerome of Plymouth, a business administration – management student whose business, Rent Align, “is an online platform that serves both renters and landlords. It is designed to make rentals simple and provide rentals in an expedited manner.”
• Vahid Mashmasarmi of Brockton, a business administration student, whose business, VM Development LLC, “is a real estate company focused on buying, selling, renting, and renovating single- and multi-family properties. The business creates value by improving homes and providing quality housing options while generating returns through strategic acquisitions and property management.”

The panel of judges included:

• Jay Ash, President and CEO of Massachusetts Competitive Partnership and a former Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development.
• Paulo Bezerra, Founder and CEO of Truly Unlimited and a member of the Massasoit Community College Foundation Board of Directors.
• Kendra Butters, Vice President of External Relations at Massasoit Community College.
• Eval Silvera, Senior Scrum Master at MFS Investments, Founder & President of KodeConnect, Inc., and a member of the Massasoit Community College Board of Trustees.
• Kate Welch, a practicing criminal law attorney who teaches at Bristol Community College, serves as Town Moderator in Easton, and is a member of the Massasoit Community College Board of Trustees.