For the second year in a row, Believe in Me participated in the Washington State University (WSU) High School Business Plan Competition. This competition is open to all Washington State high school students and provides a platform for them to showcase their innovative business ideas. The event was hosted by the WSU Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) and attracted over 110 student venture teams from colleges and high schools throughout Washington and Idaho.
WSU High School Business Plan Competition Showcases Diverse Student Venture Teams
The WSU High School Business Plan Competition attracts student venture teams representing diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, majors, genders, and ethnicities. This year’s competition included many first-generation students, student-athletes, and traditional and nontraditional business students. The competition provides a platform for these students to showcase their entrepreneurial skills and helps them develop a valuable entrepreneurial mindset.
Believe in Me Sponsors Prizes for High School League
Believe in Me sponsored all the prizes in the High School League except for the grand prize, which was sponsored by Herbert B. Jones Foundation and Idaho Capital Ventures. Julie Wukelic, Chief Executive Officer at Believe in Me, was a judge on their panel of entrepreneurial experts. The awards for the High School League ranged from $250 to $5,000. Student teams were evaluated on presentation, development of a solution for a customer problem, value proposition, market opportunity, competitive advantages, go-to-market strategy, financials, and investment analysis.
Perfect Pillow Takes First Place at WSU High School Business Plan Competition
Student teams in the High School League participated in two entirely virtual rounds, a screening round, and final presentations on Friday, April 22. The top five high school teams received prize money, with Perfect Pillow taking first place and winning $5,000. Sammamish High School students Corentin Ogier, Kelan Palmer, and Chetan Sidhu are the cofounders of Perfect Pillow, a company that sells custom pillows.
Top Five High School Teams Win Prizes at WSU Business Plan Competition
Coals Lumber Co., a firewood and professional tree removal company, took second place and won a $2,000 prize. Freeze on the Go, a portable, battery-powered ice pack, won third place and a $1,000 award. Frozen Games, a unique dining and social experience that combines frozen yogurt and casual or competitive gaming took fourth place and won $500. The Forge Jewelers, an online jewelry store that sells rings, earrings, and necklaces, and takes customer requests, came in last place and won a prize of $250. Congratulations to all the winners.
Believe in Me Inspires Next Generation of Entrepreneurs at WSU Business Plan Competition
Believe in Me’s participation in the WSU High School Business Plan Competition helps to inspire young students to believe in themselves and to open up a whole new world of possibilities. The organization’s sponsorship of the prizes in the High School League also helps to support and encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs. This competition is an excellent opportunity for students to gain valuable experience in entrepreneurship and to develop their business skills.
The WSU High School Business Plan Competition provides a platform for students to showcase their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial skills. This competition helps to promote education and entrepreneurship in young students and encourages them to believe in themselves. Believe in Me’s participation in this competition helps to support and encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs and provides an excellent opportunity for students to gain valuable experience in entrepreneurship.
