StartUp Hutch, in association with the Network Kansas E-Community Partnership, hosted the annual Reno County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, on Tuesday, Nov. 22rd at Stringer Fine Arts Center. Students from across Reno County high schools presented their business concepts with a written business plan, a 4-minute presentation, and a 2-minute elevator pitch to local volunteer judges - Eric Spurgeon, Kaylene Haug, Lacie Janzen, Johannah Moore, Richard Greever, and Scott Meggers.
The winning concepts were:
1st Place: Brylie Warden and Hadley Idacavage, Haven High School
Business name: Double Estate
2nd Place: Andrew Avena and Morgan O’Neal, Haven High School
Business name: A & M Bakery
3rd Place: Bailey Young, Copper Collins, and Raegan McLelan, Pretty Prairie High School
Business name: Tutor Time
In addition to the prize money and recognition at the Reno County competition, first-place competitors Warden and Idacavage of Haven High School will have the opportunity to compete in the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge held at Kansas State University in Manhattan. This event will include the top young entrepreneurs from schools across the state. The other Reno County participants are invited to submit their business ideas for an at-large spot in the statewide competition.
This year also featured a “People's Choice Award” in which community members had the opportunity to vote on their favorite business proposals. People’s Choice Winners: 1st Place: Bailey Young, Copper Collins, and Raegan McLelan, Pretty Prairie High School
Business name: Tutor Time
2nd Place: Ava Koster, Teigan Nielsen, and Ellaina Kaufman, Buhler High School
Business name: A Pets World
3rd Place: Emma Logan and Kayla Rose, Haven High School
Business name: Wildrose Boutique
For more information on StartUp Hutch resources, or to join their community of entrepreneurs and business owners, visit www.startuphutch.com or contact Jackson Swearer at 620-665-3319.