The council chambers of the City of Clovis was the venue for a Shark Tank-like meeting where high school prospective entrepreneurs pitched ideas to a group of local investors.
On March 26, the researching and planning that took place over several months culminated in the presentation of a written business plan and six business ideas by 13 students. The students were all competing for investors and, with the $3,300 provided by local business representative, no one went home without business startup costs.
All presenters were part of the seven-month Young Entrepreneurs Academy program (YEA!), which meets every week for three hours. The Clovis Chamber of Commerce offers the program, and classes meet at the Clovis Community Center.
Among the ideas pitched at the presentation were a plant self-watering system, an Italian Bakery, an exercise company, and a trendy take on tennis racket grips. The students provided details of their business plans to the investor board, including a market analysis, business goals, operating costs, monthly projections, and financing strategies. Whether extra credit was given during the competition for the quality and creativity of the young entrepreneurs’ digital Business Cards is unclear.
The top YEA! Team, Charles Harris and Emily Lang, received $1,200 and the chance to advance to next level, the Saunders Scholars National College Scholarship competition, which takes place in Arizona in May.Get a Free Quote for Business Cards
