Future Founders Foundation Hosts 6th Annual Summer Entrepreneurship Camp, Awards Over $21,000 in Scholarships

August 12, 2013

The Future Founders Foundation recently hosted the 6th Annual Future Founders Academy at 1871. The Academy is a week-long interactive summer entrepreneurship camp for the Future Founders program’s top students from the 2012-13 school year. During the “Taste of Chicago” meets entrepreneurship week, 20 students were exposed to a variety of activities, field trips and events that highlighted various topics such as public speaking, networking, technology, teamwork, finance and business etiquette. Students were awarded over $21,000 in cash prizes and scholarships.

“Future Founders Academy adds a fun twist to entrepreneurship and inspires students to explore different aspects of the entrepreneurial life,” said Scott Issen, President & CEO, Future Founders Foundation.
During the week, students worked in teams to create business plans based on innovative technology products. Students competed in a business plan competition for the chance to win $15,000 in scholarships provided by the Ford Motor Company Fund.

2013 Future Founders Academy Business Plan Competition Winners:

1st Place: $2,000 each

• Ashley Austin, Senior, EPIC Academy
• Aviance King, Freshman, George Washington High School
• Leon Harmon, Senior, Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy

2nd Place: $1,500 each

• Chezalyn Grant, Senior, EPIC Academy
• Gabriel Reyes, Sophomore, Chicago Tech Academy
• Moriah Dowd, Sophomore, Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy

3rd Place: $750 each

• Adam Kint, Sophomore, Chicago Tech Academy
• Darshell Nixon, Senior, EPIC Academy
• Holly Slaughter, Senior, Chicago International Charter School at the Ralph Ellison Campus
• Marcus Hayes, Sophomore, Chicago Tech Academy
• Octaviana Arvizo Nino, Senior, ACE Tech Charter High School
• Paige Robinson, Freshman, George Washington High School

Highlights of the camp included:

• Public speaking and communication skills workshop at Comedy Sportz
• Mobile app development workshop with Starter League
• Panel discussion with entrepreneurs from Lightbank
• A trip to Chicago’s Techweek
• A focus group facilitated by Topic
• Team building activities at Windy City Fieldhouse
• A business etiquette lunch

For more information on getting involved with Future Founders, please contact Britney Robbins or complete the get involved form.