Entrepreneurship Olympics

RTP, NC — On Friday, February 19, 2016, teens and adults ages 15-25 can participate in the Entrepreneurship Olympics, a series of games that are designed to teach business skills to young people.

This event was created by two students from Apex High School.

Brent Schmedding and Michael DeSantis, two students from Apex High, know the importance of promoting entrepreneurship among young people in our community. This year, they took matters into their own hands and created a fun event designed to teach teenagers and young adults important business skills through a series of games.

In the Entrepreneurship Olympics, participants will obtain and develop vital skills through competitive games. Schmedding and DeSantis partnered up with local businesses like the 1789 Venture Lab, EntreDot, the Council of Entrepreneurship Development and HQ Raleigh, and even Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest will be there to speak to the participants.

How It Works

Players will participate in four diverse skill-building games throughout the day.

Role Play

Participants will be given a brief description of a business and will rapidly develop marketing/finance strategies to improve the business’s success. Contestants will be judged on innovation, creativity, knowledge, and presentation.

The Maker’s Station

In this Shark Tank-like scenario, young entrepreneurs will get the opportunity to pitch their ideas to industry professionals and actual investors. This game is just for practice, but it allows players to enhance their networks.

Business Plan Bonanza

Players will have the opportunity to consult with industry professionals about their business plans. Players will be evaluated based on their business plans and are provided with the unique opportunity to receive constructive criticism and tips to facilitate the most growth from experts. Participants are scored on presentation, grammar and overall quality of the plan.

The Lemonade Stand

Participants will be given all the needed information to set up a successful lemonade stand. This information will include things such as pricing of inventory, where players will be given the choice of cost vs. quality, operation cost, competitors prices, etc. Participants will have 20 minutes to develop a presentation/plan of their plan to maximize their businesses success.

Details & Link to Register

This event is open to any young person ages 15-25 who wants to develop business and leadership skills.

Entrepreneurship Olympics
Friday, February 19, 2016; 10 am-3 pm
at The Frontier, 800 Park Offices Drive, RTP

Tickets for the event are free – just register through Eventbrite.

Story from staff reports. Photo by The Frontier.