Conexus Indiana announces high school business winners
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Conexus Indiana awarded four teams of high schoolers running entrepreneurial advanced manufacturing and logistics businesses with cash prizes in its Industries Case Competition.
The teams presented their School-based Enterprise, an in-school entrepreneurial advanced manufacturing and logistics business that is managed and operated by students, to a panel of judges to receive funding to further their businesses.
The EBEAMS team from Eastbrook High School from Marion was one of two first-place winners for its social media strategy to increase sales on Amazon. The business also fulfills design and manufacturing contracts in the local community.
White River Valley High School’s Wolverine Enterprises from the Greene County town of Switz City also came in first for its business case to build a permanent storefront at the high school for its several student businesses, which range from agricultural services to custom manufacturing to printing and logistics.
Both teams won a $6,000 cash prize for their businesses.
Perry Central High School’s Commodore Engineering of Leopold and Mitchell High School’s Cement City Industries were named second-place winners. Their businesses are producing a better-functioning part for manufacturer Jasper Group and a business case for a sustainable product line, using leftover cardboard. They each won $4,000.
“The Case Competition, which is open to schools operating SBEs throughout the state, gives high schoolers a platform to showcase their practical decision-making and problem-solving skills,” said Kyle Marshall, senior director of talent programs at Conexus Indiana, in a news release. “The competition also gives them an opportunity to present to and interact with a panel of industry leaders in Indiana – an opportunity they otherwise might not have while in high school.”
The teams were judged by representatives from industry, nonprofit and the public sector, including Backhaul Direct, Mursix, Polygon Composites, Rolls-Royce, Ascend Indiana and the Department of Workforce Development.
Conexus Indiana Student Industries has a network of high schools across the state looking to develop advanced manufacturing and logistics talent with school-based enterprise.