High school students prepare for LAUNCH business pitch competition

Students from area high schools are preparing to pitch business ideas to a panel of venture capitalists for the chance to win $10,000 in startup services. The pitches are the culmination of LAUNCH's High School Entrepreneurship Competition, which is in its third year. 

"Brainerd High School has come onboard with Tyner Academy and The Howard School, so the competition will be even better this year," Program Director Gina Soltau said in a prepared statement. "The students have developed many creative business ideas that will improve their schools and communities. With the help of LAUNCH facilitators and interns, it is so inspiring to see these young entrepreneurs develop their own idea, build a business plan and compete with it."

There is a confidentiality agreement on the business ideas until the night of the competition, so participants and LAUNCH leaders couldn't reveal too much. But students will pitch ideas like a special dog collar, a healthy drink and a product that helps anyone sing. 

And one of the student entrepreneurs, 11th-grader Deniqua Lewis, 15, said she is in a group of five who are pitching, and the experience has been both stressful and enlightening.  And she said she would encourage other students to take on challenges like this, despite their young age.

"Even though you're young, it doesn't mean you can't build something that you've always wanted to build," she said. "Shoot for the stars. Don't just leave it alone just because you're too young." 

Read the full story over at Nooga.com.