1st - Rose City Hot Yoga (Kari Doherty & Catherine Limpo)
2nd - Grainstorm (Victoria Amiel & Lexi Merriman)
3rd - StudentsBoat (Ashraf Mandour & Tarun Kumar Yerra)
On March 29th, the PSU Center for Entrepreneurship made history by hosting the inaugural Finals for the Everyday Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition at the Native American Student and Community Center. Held alongside the prestigious Cleantech Challenge, PSU’s premier invention competition, this groundbreaking event marked a new chapter in fostering student entrepreneurship on campus.
There was a packed house, to witness the unveiling of this new endeavor. From the outset, it was evident that the Everyday Entrepreneurs track was set to redefine the potential landscape of student entrepreneurship, broadening horizons to embrace a diverse array of business concepts beyond invention-specific ventures. With the guiding motto "Every idea, any idea, Everyone, anyone. Begin your journey, find your why!" aspiring entrepreneurs were empowered to hone their skills in crafting robust business models, strategic plans for implementation, and captivating pitches to tell their stories.
Emcee Rose Kaz, Founder of RKC, a long-time advocate for women’s rights and digital media guru; infused the room with passionate dynamism, as she welcomed the students to center stage. Each student team shined as they presented their ideas with confidence and conviction, highlighting the progress they had made over the past 10 weeks of the program. Each presentation was a testament to the hard work, dedication, and creativity of the teams, leaving the audience inspired and eager to learn more. One of the most compelling aspects of the event was the deep dive questions posed by the judges, challenging the teams to defend their ideas and strategies with precision and clarity.
With the caliber of presentations being so high, it was difficult to predict which team would emerge victorious. The audience eagerly awaited the announcement of the winners, recognizing that each team had brought something unique and valuable to the table. From enhancing connectivity and accessibility to fostering intentional community building, the impact of their ideas resonated deeply with all who attended.
After careful deliberation, three teams emerged victorious:
1st - Rose City Hot Yoga (Kari Doherty & Catherine Limpo)
2nd - Grainstorm (Victoria Amiel & Lexi Merriman)
3rd - StudentsBoat (Ashraf Mandour & Tarun Kumar Yerra)
The event came to a close with an uplifting address from the Keynote Speaker, Jocelyn Gaudi Quarrell- Founder of Bold Reuse, as she shared her own entrepreneurial journey, the challenges she faced and overcame during the pandemic, and the personal growth she discovered in harnessing collaborative leadership principles, reinforcing the age-old mantra, it takes a village.
The Everyday Entrepreneurs 2024 Finals proved the transformative power of entrepreneurship and the remarkable potential of student-led innovation to drive meaningful change in the world. As we reflect on the event, we are reminded of the importance of nurturing and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders. Congratulations to all the teams for their remarkable achievements – you have truly inspired us all!
You can learn more about this year’s amazing Cleantech Challenge and Everyday Entrepreneurs teams here.