issued 4 hours ago
Submitted by mary kay
lewisville high school (Louisville Independent School District) Students participating in the INCubatoredu program competed in their final pitch night on April 25, 2024 at the Technology Exploration and Career Center West in Lewisville, Texas. The hopeful entrepreneurs competed for a total of $5,000 in seed funding to launch their successful businesses. Take your business to the next level. This program is in its sixth year and is sponsored by funding from the Mary Kay Company, the City of Louisville, and the MR & Evelyn Hudson Foundation.
This program encourages student participants who dream of becoming future entrepreneurs to start a real business using real money. From ideating and evaluating market competitors to comparing price points and target consumers, students use the principles learned in the class curriculum to create and run a business.
The curriculum, based on the nationally renowned INCubatoredu program, helps students develop their own business models while receiving guidance from local experts throughout the business creation process. This course teaches business concepts using the Lean Startup methodology. This methodology uses experimentation, iterative product releases, and validated learning to shorten product development cycles to quickly discover whether a business model is viable. Students learn using a hands-on approach, and business leaders provide guidance to pivot when needed. The final exam is a “Shark Tank” style presentation to a panel of judges who award cash prizes to top companies.
The year-long program involved 14 individuals and teams, six of whom presented their final business ideas, ranging from handmade press-on nails to a streetwear clothing brand, to take their businesses further. I was hoping to take home the grand prize prize as seed funding to move forward.
Final Pitch Night Award Winners:
- 1st Place ($2,500) – Coretta Williams (Senior) Thanks to Retta’s Beauty, a custom press-on nail business.
- 2nd place ($1,500) – Jalen Waters (Junior) with his streetwear brand, Exclusive Stylez.
- 3rd place ($1,000) – Benny Perez, Kaluel Martinez, Jace Gonzalez (Junior) Mobile Car Wash and Detailing Services, Doorstep Auto Detailing.
- Fan Favorite ($1,000) – Emily Najera and Martin Quintanilla Velasquez (Junior) EcoPaws, an environmentally friendly pet bed made from textile waste.
- Additional Prize – ($200) Aidan Mills (Junior) Custom Engraved Tail Light for Rayfall. ($500) Jesus Barrios (Senior) and julie najera (Senior) Cleaning product “Double Duster”.
Funding for the curriculum was made possible by a grant from the MR & Evelyn Hudson Foundation and an investment from Mary Kay, Inc.
“Louisville Independent School District is proud to offer this unique opportunity to our students. INCubatoredu prepares students for success while learning by doing. We appreciate your unwavering support for this great program. We cannot thank Mary Kay and our other partners enough for their support,” said Lindsey Ayers, Louisville Independent School District Business Partnership.
This program is the result of a 10-year effort between the Louisville Independent School District/Lewisville Education Fund (LEF) and Mary Kay. This funding covers the annual fee for the INCubatoredu program and seed money for students to start and grow their businesses. , and an investment in the Final Pitch Night Seed Fund for students to further their business pursuits.
mary kay
mary kay
Then. Now. Always. One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women’s lives. That dream blossomed into a global company with millions of independent salespeople in more than 35 countries. For 60 years, Mary Kay Opportunities has empowered women to define their future through education, mentorship, advocacy and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skin care, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in protecting the earth for future generations, protecting women affected by cancer and domestic violence, and encouraging young people to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com, find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on: twitter.
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