SQUARE1 will present its 2nd Annual Startup Scholars Pitch event along with Orchestrate Technologies on April 2 at St. Elizabeth’s Training & Education Center.
The event concludes months of work with several of the region’s high school students in which the ideated, researched, planned, and presented new business ideas.
Orchestrate Technologies is proud to sponsor this event as it provides great lessons that strengthen the skills of their future workforce as well as builds the confidence and likelihood of a new generation of small businesses.
“As a small business ourselves, Orchestrate has experienced the challenges of starting and growing a business,” explains Vincent Williams, Co-Founder of Orchestrate along with being SQUARE1’s board chair and a former client. “Developing an entrepreneurial mindset early coupled with the opportunities to develop new skills and network with business professionals is so valuable. Supporting a program with such potential to impact these teens is a privilege.”
Photo provided from last year’s competition.
The community is invited to join SQUARE1 to celebrate these students by attending the event and potentially contributing as a sponsor.
More info on these opportunities is available at the website.
The event will be emceed by WLWT News 5 Today Anchor Colin Mayfield and will honor key contributors to entrepreneurship in the community.
The opportunities for these students do not end with the April 2nd event.
The top ideas will be invited to participate in a summer incubator program that could lead to several new startups launching lead by students and supported by our business community. Additionally, SQUARE1 continues to seek out startup and entrepreneurial companies to host students as summer interns.
“This program has consistently grown year over year, and we want to match the student and teacher enthusiasm with even more opportunities,” says Keith Schneider, Founder and President of SQUARE1. “We have several previous participants pursuing their ideas and we want to provide a venue to support them. Additionally, we see kids with amazing skills that could be learning and contributing beyond their typical summer jobs at Walmart or Graeter’s.”
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.
Any student can apply for the contest. More information on the competition and SQUARE1 programs can be found at startatsquare1.org.
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.
Orchestrate Technologies provides computer network and IT managed services, specializing in simplified, cloud integrated and streamlined full service network support for small and mid-market clients as well as small enterprise businesses. Founded in 2013, Orchestrate has grown by leaps and bounds and currently manage cloud accounts in 46 states and 4 countries as well as offering full desktop support in 6 Midwest cities.
Looking forward to tomorrow. Should be a great event!