News Release: 10/9/2017 - My Big Idea

Regional Entrepreneur Center to Host Youth Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition
 
For Immediate Release
 
With a new school year under way, The Biz Foundry - the Upper Cumberland's 501(c) 3, not-for-profit Entrepreneur Center in Cookeville, busy planning for a Fall session of My Big Idea! - a Youth Innovation & Entrepreneurship program. 
 
This program, offered in counties throughout the UC region and beyond, introduces participating students, grades 9 – 12, to the tools and concepts to generate new ideas, build a business model around their idea, then craft a pitch and present their business idea to a panel of judges for cash prizes (think "Shark Tank" style presentations). 
 
Last Spring the program was launched in nine counties where more than 100 students completed the 8+ hour program and competing in one of the three marathon finale events where over $2000 was awarded in prize money. 
 
Using funding from state creative community grants and a significant corporate donation, The Biz Foundry provided all the instructors, curriculum, and materials so there was no cost to the students, or the schools.  Mentoring support was also received from many of the local Chambers of Commerce, County Extension/4H agents, and local business people encouraging our young future graduates to consider careers in business and entrepreneurship. 
 
This Fall, once again, teams from across the region will be creating new business ideas and pitching them to a panel of judges at our Grand Finale event on Saturday, November 11th in Cookeville. Friends, family, and the public are encouraged to come by and support these future business leaders of ours. 
 
This is a free two-week program that will take place on Saturdays from 10am-2pm at the Chamber of Commerce.  The first session will be held October 28^th and the second session will be held on November 4^th.  The following Saturday, November 11^th, teams will travel to Cookeville to the Grand Finale.
 
“Programs like My Big Idea are a great way to help prepare our youth to be enterprising individuals who contribute to the economic development and sustainability of our community,” said Paige Chastain.  Chastain went on to say, “Whether these young people ultimately become entrepreneurs or work for others, they will learn to invest in themselves and know that they have options. Warren County is very fortunate to have an organization like The Biz Foundry that offers valuable educational experiences such as this one to our citizens. The Chamber is honored to be a part of this program again”
 
If you're interested in more information or want to register for the program please call Chamber of Commerce VP of Workforce Development, Paige Chastain at pchastain@warrentn.com or call 931-473-6611.