Student entrepreneurs took the stage in the Reinsch Library Auditorium at Marymount University to present their business plans before a panel of local business leaders and a public audience. Photo Contributed
Students, ages 12-18,representing seven businesses and social movements from the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) Arlington had six minutes to pitch their business plans to local members of the business community, during the program's inaugural YEA! Investor Panel Event on Thursday, May 7. Based on the appeal and merit of the students' plans and presentations, panelists awarded each business or social movement the following funds:
CAY received $300. The CEOs are Eric Lusby, a freshman at Washington-Lee High School, and Ted Meany, an eighth-grader at Williamsburg Middle School.
Dimes for Dining received $1,000. Founder and executive dDirector of Dimes for Dining is Matthew Herrity, a freshman at Washington-Lee High School, and Lucky Bakhtawar, a junior at Yorktown High School, is president of Dimes for Dining.
EchoBeatz received $200. Owner and CEO Taylor Francis is in seventh grade at Williamsburg Middle School.
Kendra's Closet Originals received $800. CEOs Kendra Levy and Lucas Degraw are both seniors at Yorktown High School.
Vinces received $700. Founder and CEO Kirill Usubyan is in seventh grade at Swanson Middle School.
Winnerzz received $220. CEO Akash Bansal is a freshman at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. CFO Munir Ben Jemma is in eighth grade at H-B Woodlawn.
Z-14 Cases received $780. Founder and CEO Zanab Farooq is a sophomore at Yorktown High School.
The Investor Panel included the following:
Tina Leone, CEO, Ballston BID
Andrea Campbell Davison, associate attorney, Bean, Kinney & Korman
Paul Longsworth, vice president, International Environmental & Nuclear, Fluor
Pinkie Dent Mayfield, vice president-Corporate Affairs and special assistant to the chairman, Graham Holdings Company
Kevin Lander, executive director, JP Morgan Chase
Ron Novak, executive vice president, Segue Technologies
David Isaacson, president & CEO, Technology Management, Inc
Robb Parker, general manager, Vornado/Charles E. Smith.