Contact:
Contact: Jo Ann Giese-Kent, IGNITE! Business Success representative and VP of Entrepreneurship, Research and
Innovation at FCEDC, 920.322.1878 or joann@futurefc.com
Seven area high school teams have been selected to pitch their product or service ideas at the inaugural IGNITE! Youth
Idea Challenge on April 13, 2016 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Marian University Stayer Center. The public is invited to
attend this exciting “Shark Tank” like event.
Engaging high school students is a key focus strategy of IGNITE! Business Success, the umbrella, go-to resource network
of 17 local organizations supporting area entrepreneurs (www.IGNITEFondDuLacCounty.com. “Entrepreneurship spurs
innovative and creative thought. This is important for our local community’s competitiveness, plus wealth and job
creation,” says Jo Ann Giese-Kent, IGNITE! Representative from the Fond du Lac County Economic Development
Corporation. “IGNITE! wants to recognize, support and maximize entrepreneurial talent and aspirations in our youth.”
To prepare the students for the Idea Challenge, six area high schools participated in an Entrepreneurship on Tour event on
December 4, 2015 that included tours of successful small businesses plus a Think Tank activity to help them generate
ideas.
Teams that have been selected to participate in the inaugural IGNITE! Youth Idea Challenge include:
-Waupun Warriors –Waupun High School
-ABCD (Always Be Closing Deals) – Fond du Lac High School
-FDL, Inc – Fond du Lac High School
-Team Homan –Waupun High School
-Dom, Brady, Jeo –Waupun High School
-Fondy Business Team – Fond du Lac High School
-Generous Extension – Oakfield High School
Each team has been assigned a mentor from the business community to help them refine their idea. “I am involved in
mentoring because I love the energy and forward thinking of our youth. The Idea Challenge is a great way to engage our
youth to take ownership of their community and make a difference,” says Julie Balson of Gallery & Frame Shop.
Students will give a 4-minute “pitch” of their idea to a panel of judges at the April 13th event. Scholarships will be
awarded to the top three teams plus other awards.
