FLINT – The Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) is excited to recognize and congratulate this year’s Countywide Pitch Competition winners. The 3rd Annual Countywide Pitch Competition was held virtually again this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But high school students from across Genesee County brought their “A” game via video pitches for their original business idea or product. A total of 34 students from 14 schools around the county participated and submitted impressive pitches.
Youth Entrepreneurship Club advisors selected one winner from each school district and the final pitch competition was held on May 13th. A panel of judges determined the five top winners who along with bragging rights received some amazing prizes. The 5th place winner received $150, the prize for 4th place $250, and $500 for 3rd place. The 2nd place winner received $750 and this year’s 1st place winner received a whopping $1,000!
The students with the winning pitches are as follows:
*Regional Winners (Top 5):
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1. Jacob Madar
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Kearsley High School
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InPower Generations
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2. Kaytlyn Couch
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Fenton High School
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ECO-EarSavers
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3. Nathan Mobley
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Bentley Senior High School
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Sheet Rod
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4. Catherine Haynes
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Genesee Career Institute (GCI)
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Math Mavens
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5. Matthew Weaver
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Fenton High School
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Weaver Electronics
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.jpg "Jacob Madar photo")
(Madar & Mobley pictured)
To expand the effort to educate and expose local youth to the world of entrepreneurialism, this year the Genesee County Youth Entrepreneurship Clubs also participated in a new competition called the Investor Pitch. The competition provides students with an opportunity to win money to start a new business! Students must convince investors (the judges) that their business idea is worth the capital needed to get it off the ground. 72 students participated in the competition at their local high schools, then went on to compete at the county level. Below are the top three county-level winners, followed by students who won 1st place at the district level.
*County Level Winners (Top 3):
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1st Place - $750 prize
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Nathan Mobley
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Idea - Sheet Rod
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2nd Place - $500 prize
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Cleon Anderson
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Idea - Essential Smellz
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3rd Place - $250 prize
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Evan Brown
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Idea - Special Suits
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Investor Pitch 1st Place District Winners:
- Nathan Mobley
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Bentley Senior High School
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2. Samantha Jarbou
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Clio High School
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3. Evan Brown
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Fenton High School
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4. TK Thomas
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Flint Southwestern Academy
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5. Colton Baker
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Flushing High School
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6. Cleon Anderson
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Genesee Career Institute (GCI)
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7. William Gunther
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Grand Blanc High School
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8. Jacob Mador
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Kearsley High School
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9. Camden Geyer
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Lake Fenton High School
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10. Tristen Berlinski
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Linden High School
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11. Brad McNeil
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Montrose High School
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12. Chase Hetzel
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Mt. Morris High School
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13. Elijah Woods
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Westwood Heights Academy
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14. Demonte Thomas
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Youth Quest
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Another way for local youth to showcase and develop their entrepreneurial skills is through the GISD YE Marketplace. Students can sell their products online and at the Flint Farmers Market. Check out the current online marketplace click here.
For information on how to join a local Youth Entrepreneurship Club, contact Kim Dehmel at 810-591-4561 or Roy Sovis at 810-591-4520.