Fulton County student pitch competition winners unveiled
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The Fulton Economic Development Corp. has announced the winners of this year’s “First Pitch” business pitch competition. The event featured teams of students from three area high schools presenting their business ideas for a share of $1,500 in cash.
This year’s competition saw two finalist teams each from Caston, Rochester and Tippecanoe Valley high schools participate. The teams were scored both on their written business plans and seven-minute pitches to a panel of judges.
The first place, $500 prize went to Devin Boggs from Tippecanoe Valley for his “Fav & Sav” app, which is designed to make shopping easier and more budget friendly by allowing users to compare pricing with local stores and get notifications when products go on sale.
Eric Reidenback and Nick Townsend of Caston High School received the $400 second prize for The Autospotter, a product designed to catch a weight bar when someone at a gym is struggling on the bench press.
The third place, $300 prize went to Tippecanoe Valley students Blain Sheetz, Malachi Wolf, and Cody Small for Lace Lock, a product to help keep shoelaces tied tight that could be customized with the logo of different sports teams.
The fourth, fifth, and sixth place teams each received $100 for their ideas.
The teams were judged on several criteria, including description of the product or service, defining the business model and how it would make money, and projected profitability.
Each student also completed surveys during the event, and 100% of them said they gained a better understanding of the process of developing a product or service that could result in a profitable business. Additionally, 75% said they would consider starting a small business of their own someday.