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McPherson College has named the 10 finalists in the first Jump Start Kansas competition, giving them the opportunity to receive a $5,000 grant to pursue their entrepreneurial ideas — like water bottles recycled from discarded steel or a non-profit to get sports equipment for students in need. Two McPherson students are among the finalists
“We’ve been impressed with the applications we’ve received,” said Kori Gregg, executive director of entrepreneurship. “We’re looking forward to seeing how these young high school entrepreneurs do with an in-person pitch.”
The college announced Jump Start Kansas in November. The challenge will award two grand-prize grants of $5,000 to a Kansas high school student or team of students who present the best entrepreneurial idea – one in the area of commercial entrepreneurship and one for social entrepreneurship.
The 10 finalists will present their ideas to a panel of area entrepreneurs and McPherson College faculty and staff in the hopes of winning the top prize. The pitches will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Mingenback Theatre on the McPherson College campus. Winners will be announced at noon along with a lunch.
In addition to $5,000, the top winners will each be offered a $20,000, four-year scholarship to attend McPherson College. The other eight finalist will receive a $4,000, four-year scholarship to the college, bringing the college’s total financial commitment to the competition to more than $100,000.
The finalists for Jump Start Kansas are:
Commercial
Steel Salvation
Damien Gilbert and Colin Johnson, Wichita East. Steel Salvation proposes creating water bottles from recycled scrap steel.
Making Money Count
Brandon Elliott, Stafford High. Making Money Count would be an online marketing and social networking business.
Kalli Kat Editing
Kalliope Craft, Central Heights, Richmond. Kalli Kat Editing proposes a photo-editing business, turning basic family photos into works of art.
Limousine Service
Trenton Goering, McPherson. Goering proposes purchasing a limousine for a new business in the McPherson area serving individuals, families and businesses.
One Smart Cookie
Natalie Lash and Deshae Caldcleught, Wichita East. One Smart Cookie is a tutoring business focusing on high school and junior high students in a relaxed café setting.
Social
K.U.L.E.
Alexandria Webb, Northeast Magnet, Wichita. K.U.L.E. (Kansas Urban Living Environment) is a program to help teenage girls learn marketable skills and work as a team, such as a business education aspect of the program.
Kcteenlink
Keenan Meadows, Joseph Belcher and Marcus Sheppard, F.L. Schlagle High, Kansas City, Kan. Kcteenlink.org is an easy to use and accessible website for teens to ask difficult personal questions and gain valuable information through music, video and games.
The Sports Locker
Jonathan Reeder, Wichita Heights. The Sports Locker plans to help students who cannot afford sports equipment and fees to participate in sports.
Second Chance
Trina Durham, Wyandotte High, Kansas City, Kan. Second Chance is a nonprofit aimed to help low-income youth who are at risk of entering juvenile detention and young adults who are out of foster care. The program aims to provide services to be self-sufficient and realize their potential.
Cloverleaf Kennels
Sawyer Hambley, McPherson. Cloverleaf would be an animal rescue shelter for unwanted dogs needing long-term boarding in collaboration with the Humane Society and area veterinary clinics.
McPherson College has named the 10 finalists in the first Jump Start Kansas competition, giving them the opportunity to receive a $5,000 grant to pursue their entrepreneurial ideas — like water bottles recycled from discarded steel or a non-profit to get sports equipment for students in need. Two McPherson students are among the finalists
“We’ve been impressed with the applications we’ve received,” said Kori Gregg, executive director of entrepreneurship. “We’re looking forward to seeing how these young high school entrepreneurs do with an in-person pitch.”
The college announced Jump Start Kansas in November. The challenge will award two grand-prize grants of $5,000 to a Kansas high school student or team of students who present the best entrepreneurial idea – one in the area of commercial entrepreneurship and one for social entrepreneurship.
The 10 finalists will present their ideas to a panel of area entrepreneurs and McPherson College faculty and staff in the hopes of winning the top prize. The pitches will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Mingenback Theatre on the McPherson College campus. Winners will be announced at noon along with a lunch.
In addition to $5,000, the top winners will each be offered a $20,000, four-year scholarship to attend McPherson College. The other eight finalist will receive a $4,000, four-year scholarship to the college, bringing the college’s total financial commitment to the competition to more than $100,000.
The finalists for Jump Start Kansas are:
Commercial
Steel Salvation
Damien Gilbert and Colin Johnson, Wichita East. Steel Salvation proposes creating water bottles from recycled scrap steel.
Making Money Count
Brandon Elliott, Stafford High. Making Money Count would be an online marketing and social networking business.
Kalli Kat Editing
Kalliope Craft, Central Heights, Richmond. Kalli Kat Editing proposes a photo-editing business, turning basic family photos into works of art.
Limousine Service
Trenton Goering, McPherson. Goering proposes purchasing a limousine for a new business in the McPherson area serving individuals, families and businesses.
One Smart Cookie
Natalie Lash and Deshae Caldcleught, Wichita East. One Smart Cookie is a tutoring business focusing on high school and junior high students in a relaxed café setting.
Social
K.U.L.E.
Alexandria Webb, Northeast Magnet, Wichita. K.U.L.E. (Kansas Urban Living Environment) is a program to help teenage girls learn marketable skills and work as a team, such as a business education aspect of the program.
Kcteenlink
Keenan Meadows, Joseph Belcher and Marcus Sheppard, F.L. Schlagle High, Kansas City, Kan. Kcteenlink.org is an easy to use and accessible website for teens to ask difficult personal questions and gain valuable information through music, video and games.
The Sports Locker
Jonathan Reeder, Wichita Heights. The Sports Locker plans to help students who cannot afford sports equipment and fees to participate in sports.
Second Chance
Trina Durham, Wyandotte High, Kansas City, Kan. Second Chance is a nonprofit aimed to help low-income youth who are at risk of entering juvenile detention and young adults who are out of foster care. The program aims to provide services to be self-sufficient and realize their potential.
Cloverleaf Kennels
Sawyer Hambley, McPherson. Cloverleaf would be an animal rescue shelter for unwanted dogs needing long-term boarding in collaboration with the Humane Society and area veterinary clinics.
