A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Tickets still available for SQUARE1’s High School Entrepreneur Competition and Fundraiser


Five high-school-student lead companies will compete for thousands of dollars in prizes on April 18th at the St. Elizabeth Training & Education Center in Erlanger.

Tickets are available for the finals luncheon here. Sales end Thursday, April 12th at midnight.

The final follows the March 28 Startup Scholars Regional Business Competition at Gateway CTC Center for Technology, Innovation and Enterprise. Students presented dozens of business ideas with everyone walking away with prizes, advice and excitement.

The event will not only showcase Northern Kentucky students but will honor two outstanding promoters of STEM learning in Northern Kentucky: Tony Zembrodt and Dan Humpert.

Business Final ideas include:

Spirit Gear (Holmes) introducing a new way for schools for students to design and buy spirit wear.

Kayakster Outdoors (Covington Catholic) delivering innovative outdoor products.

Quick Call/Safe Car (Covington Catholic) creating safety innovations for vehicles.

Thumb Gumb (Covington Catholic) providing a revolutionary product for the tool and tape market.

Superior Shades (Dixie Heights) enhancing sunglass options for individuals with glasses.

Schneider

“Years ago, universities began incubating ideas,” explains SQUARE1 President Keith Schneider. “With the advancement of curriculum, and the technology available at the high school level, we feel these students are creating some great ideas with commercial potential. We want to not only capture some of these ideas but encourage the creativity and innovation in hopes that we are planting the seeds for future entrepreneurs.”

SQUARE1 is on a mission to support the current group of startups, and to identify and mentor our next generation of startups by expanding our Startup Scholars program.

Thanks to generous supporters including the Louis & Louise Nippert Charitable Foundation, SQUARE1’s Startup Scholars platform will include a regional competition allowing students to earn recognition and prizes for their work.

Launched more than three years ago at Covington Holmes High School, the program has grown to include hundreds of local high school students.

The program runs in a variety of formats allowing SQUARE1 to engage directly with the students. This includes after-school programs, working with classes, and even group work during the school day. Students get exposure the startup process as well as enhancing a number of valuable career skills including opportunity recognition, presentation skills, teamwork, and communication.

Whether they pursue entrepreneurship or not, the critical thinking skills and exposure to business professionals is a key benefit in developing future opportunities.

 SQUARE1, a not-for-profit, is an entrepreneur education and business igniter providing resources to a broad range of individuals interested in turning ideas and research into thriving businesses. To uncover, educate, support, and inspire underserved entrepreneurs.

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