IGNITE! Youth Idea Challenge: Selects 7 teams for April 13th pitch event

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

IGNITE! Youth Idea Challenge Selects 7 Teams for April 13th Pitch Event

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.

Help us IGNITE youth idea exploration by attending the Idea Challenge event and cheering on your favorite teams. RSVPs required by calling 920-322-1887 or email info@IGNITEFondDuLacCounty.com.

For more information about the IGNITE! Youth Idea Challenge, please visit http://www.ignitefonddulaccounty.com/youth-idea-challenge/.