Last week, the hosted the Youth Business Pitch, featuring the Entrepreneurship 12 class of Howe Sound Secondary.
With a beautiful sun setting over Squamish outside the auditorium at , 14 groups of students stood up in front of an audience of 90+ people, including peers, parents and business leaders from the Squamish Community, to present their business visions and vie for the chance to win the $1,000 prize.
The students had three minutes to share their pitch, followed by questions from our judges, Jessica Minnie (Fleurescent), JoJo Das (SOARE) and Kieran Hale (Community Futures). With businesses ranging from apps, to apparel, to marketing firms the students identified opportunities they saw around them, and offered up creative solutions.
The winning pitch was from Hannah Askew and Zoe Larkin, who designed an app, called SheVentures.
"We realized there was a hole in the market and a need for an app that not only prioritizes women鈥檚 safety but also fosters a sense of community and connection among women travellers. That鈥檚 why SheVentures is more than just a tool to help you get from point A to point B, it鈥檚 a platform that allows you to travel confidently, while also building connections with other women who share your passion for adventure."
These students are fortunate enough to be led by teacher and vice-principal at Howe Sound Secondary, Tami Jazic.
Ms. Jazic, in collaboration with the Squamish Chamber, has brought this program to life, and shown these students that the possibilities are endless.
Prior to presenting their final pitch, the students have opportunities to engage with the local business community at the Chamber鈥檚 Youth 小蓝视频, where they first pitch their business to a variety of mentors, who provide them with valuable feedback and guidance on how to improve upon their ideas.
Throughout the semester, students also go on business walks, connect one on one with mentors, and even have training in stage presence from Louise Robertson.
This Squamish Chamber () program is generously supported by our Annual Education partnership with Capilano University ().鈥嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌�
