University hosts Youth Entrepreneur Symposium
FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Huntington, Ind.-On Oct. 14, Huntington University hosted the second annual Venture Works Youth Entrepreneur Symposium. One hundred fifty Huntington North High School students participated in the day-long event. Students were divided into 32 groups and experienced first hand how to invent a new video gaming system. Ideas from the sessions included motion integrated video game, gaming glasses, a game system which integrated a GPS system, various levels of playability and the use of batteries that charged themselves when used. They were encouraged to be radical and different in their product creation. Related Stories
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"I believe it was a very worthwhile experience for the students," said Dave Blocker, HNHS teacher. "The students were challenged and asked to work together in a very diverse group. In today's world we are all asked to work in these types of situations."
After creating their product concept, each group was challenged to expand their product concept into a business concept. Each group determined the product, how it was different from other products, how they would make money, who the customers were and how the customers would use their product, and finally, where and how their product would be sold. The top six groups presented to a group of 5 judges with the rest of their peers as an audience.
Evan Saunders, advanced accounting student at Huntington North, said, "It was a great learning experience that enabled us to be engaged and think outside the box."
During lunch, students heard an inspiring talk from Darren Harrison of Whirlwind Pictures. He encouraged students to be successful, read books, pursue their goals and dreams, and to not miss their moment to shine.
The winning business concept was called Hypersphere and their concept created a wireless gaming system that would read all media formats and the internet to download games. The team consisted of Anna Stong, Micah Snabl, Nick Bailey, Kristin Alexander, Brianna Huff, T.J. Clounie,
The second place business concept was called ETC. Their system would be hand held and could connect with any other gaming system. Their team included: Ashley Rice, Anna Stults, Amanda Rupp, Isabella Street, Tyler Drew, Chris Treft
The third place team was Cory Blocker, Ben North and their concept was called UR1. The UR1 system allowed the player to be "in" in the game utilizing motion capture technology.
Facilitators for the day included
John Mignone, Mignone Communications
Gary Town, Northeast Indiana Driving Academy
Pete Schownir, Huntington University
Remound Wright, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center
Steve Franks, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center
Judges were
Darlene Stanley, Johnson Junction
Mark Wickersham, Huntington County United Economic Development Corporation (HCUED)
Ron Coffey, Huntington University
Joanne Green, Huntington University
Kay Schwob, Huntington University
Team members from the first place team won $50 Best Buy gift cards, second place won $25 Best Buy gift cards and the third place team won $15 Best Buy gift cards.
Venture Works is a collaborative resource center for entrepreneurs that facilitates the development and growth of new business enterprises. Venture Works focuses on providing assistance for new business ventures in the Huntington County area. This assistance ranges from providing guidance on developing business and marketing plans, to acquiring start-up capital, to offering low-cost office space and shared services.
The event was sponsored by Huntington County United Economic Development Corporation, Venture Works, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center, Huntington University, and the Huntington County Commissioners. Funding was provided by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
