Students from Springfield Township High School and Cheltenham High School competed in a business pitch challenge hosted by Firstrust Bank and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Chorefinder, a mobile app that acts as an accessible way for teens to complete odd jobs for profit created by students from Cheltenham High School, earned the top spot in the pitch challenge and won $2,500.
Everything Wallet, a wallet with advanced security features like a fingerprint lock and GPS locator created by Springfield students, placed second and received $1,500.
Slides by U, a customizable rubber sandals with a design kit included created by Springfield students, and Safe Cup, a cup with a fingerprint locking mechanism to prevent others from tampering with one’s drink in social settings also created by Springfield students, took home $500 each.
The competition marked the culmination of the Entrepreneurs Game Plan powered by EVERFI program, a digital learning platform implemented in 30 area high schools that uses case studies, interactive business simulations, and personal development activities to prepare students for a bright and prosperous future.
In total, 43 business pitches were submitted, and the top six were selected to present their ideas on Wednesday, April 10, at the Firstrust Bank Club at Lincoln Financial Field. The finalists included students from Central Bucks High School, Cheltenham High School, Cherokee High School and Springfield High School.
The pitches were judged by a panel of executives from Firstrust and the Eagles, including Frank Gumienny, SVP, Chief Operating Officer of the Philadelphia Eagles; Peggy Leimkuhler, EVP, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer at Firstrust Bank; Eagles Legend Jason Avant; and Carleen O’Reilly, Senior Director of Account Management at EVERFI.
“We congratulate and thank the winners in this year’s Entrepreneurs Game Plan competition for presenting innovative business models that were both creative and practical in nature,” said Frank Gumienny, Chief Operating Officer, Philadelphia Eagles. “This competition always serves as a great opportunity to recognize and award students for applying their skills in the classroom to real-world experiences. We are inspired by their passion and look forward to following their journeys into the future.”
“ThroughEntrepreneurs Game Plan, we’re equipping the next generation of business leaders with resources, knowledge and financial literacy skills that will help them build their careers,” said Peggy Leimkuhler, EVP, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer at Firstrust Bank. “I’m inspired and excited by the creativity, passion and professionalism displayed by the young entrepreneurs who participated in the pitch competition. Their ideas show great promise, and I’m hopeful that they will bring these ideas to fruition in the real world and make an impact in our communities.”
In addition to developing a new business idea and pitch, students participating in the Entrepreneurs Game Plan program learned how to save startup capital and balance a budget, what it means to be an entrepreneur and how to recognize business opportunities.
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Photos: Alyssa Zinar, CSD