Students from South Portland gathered at the Maine Graduate and Professional Center in Portland to be recognized for their business plan submissions for the Maine Startup Challenge through the Maine Venture Fund.
Students from across the state submitted business plan proposals with hopes of winning money to start their own businesses. Sixth grader Safa Hilowle and seventh grader Jussara Batalha's individual business plans both made it to the Semi Finalist round (top 6 in the state!) Sixth grader Blakely Emmerich's business plan "Petlink," which is a business to help connect local animal shelter animals with members in the community, won third place in the state for the K-8 division!
Sophomore Camille Merritt's business plan, "The Clementine Club," which is a subscription box that would deliver spotlights on female business founders, hands-on activities, and lessons on real concepts like budgeting and marketing for upper elementary and early middle school aged girls who are interested in entrepreneurship, won third place in the state for the High School division, and her idea also won her the "Audience Choice" award where she earned $500! This summer Camille will be studying global entrepreneurship in Dublin, Ireland through CIEE's High School Summer Abroad program.