Fall 2021 PITCH CHALLENGE
Fall 2021 WYOMING YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR PITCH CHALLENGE
In the fall of 2021, WYAA invited young people to think of a product, business or social solution that could make a difference to their community or to Wyoming. More than 40 students, participating individually or in small teams, answered the call. WYAA is proud to announce the contest winners.
Fall 2021 Pitch Challenge Winners
- 1st Place: Caydence Engling from Buffalo High School, Full of Purpose Planner – Handmade paper planners and stationery.
- 2nd Place: Jeremiah Hawley from Buffalo High School, Levitate U – A website to help people learn computer science and cybersecurity.
- 3rd Place (Tie): Grant Keeler from Buffalo High School, Hearty Hooks – A fishing hook with deployable barb.
- 3rd Place (Tie): Isabelle Haas from Buffalo High School, Buffalo Wild Rings – Rings made out of recycled spoons.
- Spirit of Wyoming Award (This award is for a young person who is interested in community improvement through a social solution.): Isaiah Prince and Deverey Ivie from Star Valley High School, Helper Hutt – A volunteer hub and helping hand for those that need it.
“The young people who entered the contest each displayed creativity and persistence,” said Michelle Sullivan, WYAA’s Director. “As we know, young people in Wyoming are looking toward the future. An important part of the entrepreneurial process is imagining solutions to problems they face every day.”
Volunteer judges from across the state included past Pitch Challenge winner Molly Doss, Alexis Drake owner Lexie Garret, MakerSpace 307 director David Maulik, and Goose’s Kitchen owner and Wind River Start Up Challenge winner Leslie Spoonhunter. They ranked each entry on three categories: creativity, persuasiveness, and overall presentation. Thanks go to Impact307 for making the StartUp Tree platform available for this contest.
Judge David Maulik commented, “Judging the WYAA youth pitch challenge has given me an opportunity to peer behind the curtain at the ideas of the next generation entrepreneurs and problem-solvers in Wyoming. I am confident that if we give these students the assistance, support, and encouragement moving forward we have a good chance to help them solve the problems our state is currently facing and be ready to tackle any more that come our way.”
WYAA offers support to the adults who work with the young entrepreneurs. A set of six modules with activities and interactive videos walks through the steps of identifying a problem and understanding customers all the way to making a pitch. Other supports include roundtable discussions and one-on-one coaching calls.
Michelle said, “We know that not all adults feel like they have experience as entrepreneurs. We have found that the entrepreneurial process has the potential to develop curiosity, problem solving, and empathy – all skills that help young people to be successful. These are just some of the skills that afterschool and out-of-school time settings are uniquely positioned to support.”
Learn about the Spring 2022 Challenge!
The Wyoming Young Entrepreneur Initiative is a result of a growing community of partners including Wyoming 4-H, the University of Wyoming, Impact307, afterschool organizations statewide, and many volunteers.
This initiative is made possible by a grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The grant is intended to promote innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset for youth in Wyoming.
Fall 2021 Celebration Video
Young people in Wyoming are courageous, adaptable, persistent, optimistic and empathetic. These skills are on display in the Fall 2021 Wyoming Young Entrepreneur Pitch Challenge presented by the Wyoming Afterschool Alliance. In the fall of 2021, WYAA invited young people to think of a product, business or social solution that could make a difference to their community or to Wyoming. More than 40 students, participating individually or in small teams, answered the call. Learn more in the following video.
WHY ARE PITCH CHALLENGES SO GREAT?
WYAA invites your afterschool program, class, or club to participate in pitch challenges to think of a product, business or social solution that could make a difference to your community or to Wyoming. Learn more in the following video.
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