First Annual Be Entrepreneurial Business Plan Challenge
The First Annual Be Entrepreneurial Business Plan Challenge, co-hosted by the Junior Achievement of Space Coast (JASC) and the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business Women’s Business Center (WBC), was held on December 8th at Florida Tech.
Ten teams from Palm Bay, Melbourne, and Viera high schools in Brevard County competed in a preliminary round; each team giving a PowerPoint presentation describing an entrepreneurial venture with optional one-minute videos for extra credit.
Volunteer judges scored each of the teams of which four advanced to a final round. Student participants not selected were invited to watch the final round presentations.
Three teams were selected as the winners of the business plan challenge. They were decided by mock investment by the final judging panel, the finalists, the students from the preliminary round along with a group of Florida Tech MBA and undergraduate student panelists.
(Pictured are business student panelists
(left to right): Morgan Wilson, <Mr. Tim Muth, Dean Ann Becker>, Hsu Hui
Huang (MBA), Randy Stockman, Erika Cobb, and Asif Jassani.)
The first place award went to the Yogini team from Palm Bay High School. Mr. Dan Balda presented the team with a $1,000 award provided by the Balda Family Foundation. The second place award went to the Threads for Heads team from Viera High School; and the third place award was presented to the Lighthouse Energy Conservation System team from Melbourne High School.
All of the teams did an amazing job in their business plan presentations. They received outstanding guidance from dedicated teachers and JA volunteers. These included: Ms. Sandra Spence, Viera High School; Mr. John McGeough and Mr. Robert Keimer, Palm Bay High School; and Ms. Marilyn Kraus, Melbourne High School.
A complementary lunch was provided by Craig Technologies in Florida Tech’s Panther Dining facility. A complementary flash drive was given to the participants by Peoples Financial Group. Space Coast Business was on-hand to take pictures. A special thanks to Carol Craig, Brent Peoples, Josh Field, and Jeff Piersall for their generous donations!
Our judges, business leaders, accomplished entrepreneurs, and academicians, donated their time by participating in morning and afternoon sessions. The judges included: Mr. Dan Balda, Medicomp, Inc.; Mr. Tim Muth and Dean Ann Becker, Nathan M. Bisk College of Business; Mr. Josh Field, Space Coast Business; Dr. Donn Miller-Kermani, Women’s Business Center, Mr. Mike Williams, MH Williams Construction Group, Inc.; Ms. Jean Newell, Newco Enterprises, LLC; and Mr. Mike McBride, McBride Marketing Group.
We offer a special “thank you” to those working behind the scenes to make this an inspiring event for students, teachers, and judges. These individuals include: Dr. Donn Miller-Kermani and Ms. Renee Couperthwaite at the Women’s Business Center, Ms. Jarin Eisenberg and Mr. Zachary Gabe, Nathan M. Bisk College of Business, and Ms. Kristin Schreiner, Executive Director of JASC.
Featured Picture: Yogini Team Members Brittany Shick, Kim Gonzalez, Teri Johnson, Shai Mace, and Allie Sienkiewicz from Palm Bay High School and Dan Balda on behalf of the Balda Family Foundation.
More pictures from the days event are shown below.
