5th Annual Pitch Night will take place on June 3, 2019.
Pitch Night is the culmination of the Business Incubator course at LFHS. This year nearly 25% of the junior class is enrolled in this honors business course. At Pitch Night up to four of this year's 17 teams have the opportunity to pitch their business plans in a "Shark Tank" style format to a Board of Directors and private investors in hopes of winning prize money and possibly funding to launch their business. The other teams will get the opportunity to share their ideas in convention style lobby displays. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for this year's event please contact Colette Mendelson. If you are interested in volunteering to help with the event itself please contact Nikki Rhomberg or Rich Chun.
Pitch Night is the culmination of the Business Incubator course at LFHS. This year nearly 25% of the junior class is enrolled in this honors business course. At Pitch Night up to four of this year's 17 teams have the opportunity to pitch their business plans in a "Shark Tank" style format to a Board of Directors and private investors in hopes of winning prize money and possibly funding to launch their business. The other teams will get the opportunity to share their ideas in convention style lobby displays. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for this year's event please contact Colette Mendelson. If you are interested in volunteering to help with the event itself please contact Nikki Rhomberg or Rich Chun.
SCENES FROM THE BUSINESS INCUBATOR
What is the Business Incubator?
The LFHS Foundation partnered with Lake Forest High School to create the Business Incubator in Fall 2014. This Junior level Honors course in the Business Department offers students a unique opportunity to become true entrepreneurs by creating and developing their own product or service. Students are coached and mentored by real entrepreneurs and business experts from our community and beyond. During the year long course, student teams learn about ideation, marketing, accounting, human resources, as well as the legal and financial aspects of running a business. Principles and processes from the LEAN concept - a scientific approach to creating and managing startups - guide students as they test their thinking and vision. To further inspire creativity, a customized classroom has been designed to ignite brainstorming and foster collaboration as students develop products and services for the real world. The course culminates in Pitch Night, a “Shark-Tank” style presentation where student teams present their innovative ideas to a Board of Directors for the chance to earn funding for their businesses. Part of this process also includes the student teams working to create promotional materials, press releases, and to solicit potential investors to attend Pitch Night.
Teams that are funded during Pitch Night then have the option to continue on with the process of starting up their business during the second year program, the Business Accelerator – a Senior level honors business class. Individuals interested in partnering with the LFHS Business Incubator program should contact Nikki Rhomberg at businessincubator@lfschools.net. Students interested in enrolling in the Business Incubator should speak with their guidance counselor for more information. |
WHAT OUR VOLUNTEERS SAY . . .
"I have been involved with the LFHS Business Incubator since launch. As coach of the pricing module, I leave the classroom inspired and energized!"
"If you want to get a charge of optimism about where our world is heading, spend some time with these kids. They are generous, smart, and fearless." "Seeing the students engage with the practical opportunity to make an impact in their community by finding a solution to a problem- and working to bring that solutions to fruition - inspires hope and a renewed energy toward making my own commitment and impact." Mentor & Volunteer OpportuntiesOur program is always looking for committed community members, engaging business leaders, and enthusiastic entrepreneurs to help guide and mentor our students through the process of developing and implementing their business plans.
Volunteers can serve in one of three ways:
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Pitch Night 2018
Spectators packed the Raymond Moore Auditorium for the 4th Annual Pitch Night 2018! Read MORE
Pitch Night 2018
A Business Incubator Success Story
Safe & Sound Spray Continues to Grow!
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The success of the LFHS Business Incubator continues to increase. Now in its fourth year at the high school, the junior year honors class consistently produces entrepreneurial outcomes in its students.
Safe and Sound Spray, a team funded in 2016 has continued to grow even after its founders have moved on to college. Jenelle Frevert and Gwen Driscoll are now in their second year of college, but the business they developed their junior year in the LFHS Business Incubator classroom continues to grow… thanks to their entrepreneurial mindset. |
Safe and Sound Pitches Again
Safe and Sound participated in the Watermark Conference For Women in Silicon Valley this past February. Their participation allowed the company to bring their product to the attention of QVC and Zulily, where they pitched their product. A self-defense spray created by two women fit right into the heart of the #MeToo movement. NBC San Jose did a short interview of the company at the conference.
Growing their business continues…
Once they returned home, they have not rested on their successes. They sponsored a self-defense seminar in March and continue to work to promote their business. Jenelle recently shared some of her insights about their growth as an idea to their most recent national business pitches with the attendees at the LFHS Foundation Spring Luncheon on April 19th at Exmoor Country Club. Safe and Sound Spray also nearly sold out of their products after the presentation at the Foundation’s luncheon.
Keep watching Safe and Sound Spray as they work to sell their product and expand their business. You can also find them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LFHSBusinessInc/ and Twitter: @LFHSBusinessInc
Safe and Sound participated in the Watermark Conference For Women in Silicon Valley this past February. Their participation allowed the company to bring their product to the attention of QVC and Zulily, where they pitched their product. A self-defense spray created by two women fit right into the heart of the #MeToo movement. NBC San Jose did a short interview of the company at the conference.
Growing their business continues…
Once they returned home, they have not rested on their successes. They sponsored a self-defense seminar in March and continue to work to promote their business. Jenelle recently shared some of her insights about their growth as an idea to their most recent national business pitches with the attendees at the LFHS Foundation Spring Luncheon on April 19th at Exmoor Country Club. Safe and Sound Spray also nearly sold out of their products after the presentation at the Foundation’s luncheon.
Keep watching Safe and Sound Spray as they work to sell their product and expand their business. You can also find them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LFHSBusinessInc/ and Twitter: @LFHSBusinessInc
