Entrepreneurship Education: Students compete with business plans in virtual show held at Long Island University
At a recent trade show and business plan presentation contest held at Long Island University Post's Brookville campus, a business group unveiled a product that has the potential to attract the attention of investors and consumers.
With the slogan “Go FURther,” DogGo offered dog collars and harnesses with fitness and security features such as GPS, vital trackers, and pedometers. High-tech pet health was definitely, or almost, here.
But don't look for that product or company, at least not yet. This was an entry from Smithtown High School East students in a business plan and trade show booth contest held primarily for Long Island schools. It was all part of the Virtual Enterprise Long Island Regional Business Plan Competition and Trade Show. Hosted on January 9-10 at Long Island University's Post Campus.
This example of entrepreneurship education involved approximately 3,000 students, 150 teams, approximately 80 middle and high schools primarily on Long Island, and nearly 100 judges, including LIU faculty and deans. did.
“They were professional, knowledgeable about what their company had developed, and most importantly, they were proud of their accomplishments,” said Matthew Griffiths, who teaches VE courses at Riverhead High School. he said about the students.
Virtual Enterprises International is a national nonprofit organization that runs educational programs where students learn about business by running businesses in the classroom.
Since 1996, VEI has served more than 250,000 students in the classroom and through competitions such as our recent competition. Long Island University enrolls more than 15,000 students at campuses on Long Island and Brooklyn.
“Virtual corporate classrooms are located all over the country.” “VEI is thrilled to be partnering with VEI,” said Shari Rinker, director of marketing and communications for VEI. We talked about about 400 schools. “They may not be selling a real product, but the process is real.”
Linker said the virtual enterprise program is part of each school's curriculum and is designed to simulate “all aspects of starting and operating a business, including virtual banking systems.”
The Long Island Virtual Enterprises program is one of the largest communities within the VE system.
“Entrepreneurship classes focus more on the individual,” Rinker said. “This is a whole company. We teach them presentations, collaboration with other students, different roles.”
Classes are more than just students sitting and learning from a teacher; they function as an enterprise.
“The classroom literally determines the services and products. They come up with ideas,” Rinker said. “Everyone has a role. Someone's CEO, he's CFO, he's marketing, he's HR, he's employees.”
Come up with ideas for products and services. Virtual companies provide virtual dollars for consumption and sale.
“Such contests and trade fairs allow high school and middle school VE students to meet each other, exchange business ideas and even sell to each other,” said Ali Shama, chairman of VEI.
Michael Barthel, Long Island University's vice president for student affairs and enrollment management, said the school's participation is part of its “commitment to experiential learning.”
“These high school students are receiving valuable lifelong lessons in innovating, developing and operating a business,” Barthel added.
Students from East Hampton to Westchester showcased their creativity in front of judges.
“It's a great opportunity to serve as a judge for the VE competition,” said Phil DePaul, who leads a variety of companies. “My high school self is so jealous of the opportunities these students are afforded.”
The virtual companies ranged from customizable hair products (Hairvana, Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School) to high-tech dog collars (DogGo, Smithtown High School East).
Also participating were Pack A Party from the New Hyde Park Memorial High School team, Smart Scents Essentials Aromatherapy from Syosset High School, and the Dried Delights team.
At Your Service comes from West Hempstead High School.Café Fusion at William Floyd High School and Continental Cuisine at Bridgehampton High School.
“We want people to come to our booth and order on the spot,” Rinker said of the booth, which will offer mock products, mascots, marketing and brochures.
Booth Design Gold Awards went to Fits4Fans, Memory Lane Toy Co., and AI AID. Both are from Miller Place High School. H2Grow, Jericho High School. Elite Events, Center Reach High School; and Cloud Inc., Patchogue-Medford High School. R&R Solutions and SpiritBoost Smithtown High School West. Supercharged Deer Park High School and smooVE were born at Connetquot High School.
“This is not a real product,” Rinker said. “But everything else is real.”
The LIU event is one of a variety of regional events leading up to the Youth Business Summit in April at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan.
Winners receive recognition but do not receive compensation for business plan pitches, marketing, human resources, or other tracks.
The creativity was clearly real and in some cases on par with the actual products on display. There are smart dog collars like PetPace. If you like DogGo's ideas and presentation, you might be able to get a product for your pet.
Check out DogGo's strong track record from product to presentation, as well as these and other entrepreneurs. Even if it's not a company, the experience is real.
“VE gives all students the opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world scenarios,” said Susan Hanlon, VE Coordinator for the Business Education Department at GW Hewlett High School. “I really enjoy watching the students light up while presenting their business plans and realize that they can share such complex business knowledge in a professional manner.”
