After 13 groups of young entrepreneurs pitched their business plans at LAUNCH’s Youth Entrepreneurship Competition, 3-in-1 Toothbrush won the evening’s top prize.
3-in-1 Toothbrush is a "convenient toothbrush for travelers and people on the go where the toothbrush, toothpaste and floss are all contained in one unit," thought of by L.E.R. Company, Lexis Parks, Edwrick Bishop, and Renus Evans from Brainerd High School. The first place title has earned them $2,500 in prize cash, which can be used towards starting their business or college expenses.
The second place winner was DUO from Howard School students Yolanda Dunham, Tadarius Covington, Ardarius Walker, Taniala Lewis, and Lameteries Bonner, who are walking away with a prize package of $1,500. DUO is an insulated water bottle that can hold two different beverages, giving the ability to carry a hot and cold beverage with you at the same time. "This unique water bottle is ideal for athletes, travelers, and anyone on the go," its inventors said.
Third place, earning $1,000 in prize money, were students Chanel Mobley, Kentrell Weddington, and China Moon from Brainerd High School with Buggy Bag Inc., a shopping cart for urban dwellers that is fully collapsable, is stocked with reusable bags and an insulated cooler making walking trips to and from the grocery store easy.
The judges panel was made up of leaders from Chattanooga’s startup community; Kristina Montague, managing partner at The Jump Fund, Paul Smith, public safety coordinator for the City of Chattanooga, Andrew Kean, partner at Alderman Holdings, and Susan Freeman, owner of Susan M. Freeman Enterprise.
The event was held Sunday, March 6 at UTC’s University Center Auditorium, and serves as the finale of LAUNCH’s High School Entrepreneurship Program that trains students in the necessary steps to start a small business.
"This was the fifth year of the program, which has steadily grown since its first year and now includes five schools. Participating students hail from The Howard School, Brainerd High School, Tyner Academy, Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, and The STEM School. LAUNCH aims to continue to grow their program and hopes to add additional schools this fall when the new semester kicks off," officials said.