Teen Entrepreneurs Vie for Prizes in 'Shark Tank'-Like Competition

The Honorable Richard M. Daley kicks off the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center's Future Founders program student business plan competition at ESPN Zone

Students from five South Side high schools participated in a thrilling business plan competition on May 5 as a capstone to their experiential study of entrepreneurship, and showcased their inventive plans to launch new products and services as promising, young entrepreneurs. The 'Shark Tank' style competition, hosted by the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) at ESPN Zone, culminated with students being recognized for their recently opened or soon-to-open businesses by a panel of local entrepreneurs and business leaders.

During the past nine months, 160 students from ACE Technical Charter High School, Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy, Chicago Vocational Career Academy, Global Visions Academy, and the School of Entrepreneurship at the South Shore Campus received insight on creating and running businesses of their own. Over 100 Chicagoland entrepreneurs mentored these students individually as they developed their business plans and opened their businesses.

For the second year in a row, Mayor Richard M. Daley attended the competition and said this of the Future Founders program, "I believe in the young talent in this city. I encourage the students today to take advantage of this great experience that has been provided to you through Future Founders. Programs like this are important because they inspire and encourage entrepreneurship in the City of Chicago."

"Future Founders provides students with an opportunity to ensure their successful futures. We are enabling our students to develop an entrepreneurial toolkit that they can use throughout their careers," said Scott Issen, CEC Managing Director. "After all, entrepreneurship is the economic engine of our economy. It is through entrepreneurs, like our students, that we will recover from the recession."

This year's competition showcased plans for recently opened or soon-to-open businesses. After presenting to their peers, teachers, mentors, and an esteemed panel of judges, the 2010 Future Founders honorees are:

1st Place

Morgan Brock from Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy
FBC Manufacturing, Inc., which created a patented design that secures bar soap to a washcloth to prevent waste and save money

2nd Place

Ryan Lewis from Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy
Jeff Dranks, an all-natural lemonade beverage, made from a secret family recipe, that's marketed towards today's teens

3rd Place

Marcella Liggins and Christopher Turnbo from Chicago Vocational Career Academy
Universal Bluetooth Hearing Aids, a hearing aid with a built-in Bluetooth device allowing the hearing-impaired to talk hands-free

4th Place

Samantha Kitchens from ACE Technical Charter High School
Little Dreamers, provides getaway services for the busy parents looking for a vacation and daycare services

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Ryan Lewis from Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy
Jeff Dranks, an all-natural lemonade beverage, made from a secret family recipe, that's marketed towards today's teens

"Future Founders taught me how to succeed in the business world," said Morgan Brock, founder of FBC Manufacturing, Inc., and the 2010 first place winner. "The program changed my mind on what career field I want to pursue. At first, I wanted to become a pharmacist, but now I want to become an entrepreneur."

Congratulations Entrepreneurship Students!! Your CTE Family is proud of you!!

FRONT ROW: Georgia Blockmon, Joshua Mercer, Meagan Sims, Morgan Brock, Christopher Turnbo, Marcella Liggins, Samantha Kitchens
BACK ROW: Jerry Roper, Patrick Smith, Scott Steward, Ryan Lewis, Scott Issen