Twenty-five students. One stage.
No slides. No notes. Just a microphone, bright stage lights and 60 seconds to convince a room full of judges and classmates their idea could become something real.
One by one, they step onto the stage. Some in suits. Others in sneakers and hoodies.
Some stride confidently to the microphone. Others pause for a breath.
From the auditorium seats, hundreds of eyes stare back.
The clock appears. The seconds begin to tick. For the next minute, every second counts.
An idea. A problem. A solution.
And just enough time to help someone believe it could work.
That was the scene Thursday, March 5, at a student pitch competition hosted by Startup Junkie, a regional entrepreneurial support organization, and Ignite, Bentonville Public Schools’ career training program, at the Arend Arts Center at Bentonville High School.
The competition is open to Bentonville School District students in grades 9–12. A similar event was held the prior week at Bentonville West High School, and the first such showcase was held three years ago.
“I’m continually blown away by the creativity of these students and how far the program has come,” said Jessica Imel, principal of Ignite. “We wanted a way to bring the entrepreneurial mindset to life — and what better way than stepping on stage and pitching an idea in 60 seconds?
“For some students, it’s about building communication skills and having the courage to put themselves out there,” Imel said. “For others, it’s the chance to test an idea they’ve been developing for months.”
Winning Pitches
Marisa Sutton pitched wearable technology designed to help people who suffer from migraines to shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.
Since the fall, the BHS junior has worked to develop and test an earring that uses electrodes to detect early physiological changes associated with an oncoming migraine.
“There’s medicine available to help people who struggle with migraines, but you have to take it within 20 minutes of the first symptoms for it to be effective,” Sutton said after the pitch competition. “I used technology and information that already exist and adapted it to help with migraines. This changes everything, just by wearing an earring.”
The judges were sold, awarding Sutton with the $500 Judges’ Choice Award. She said she plans to use the prize money to continue refining her product.
The entrepreneurial wheels were turning, with pitches ranging from a line of skin care products made with safe ingredients to a real-time American Sign Language translation app. There was also a device designed to keep bird droppings off vehicles and an automated bike washer.
“This is such a great program and opportunity for the students,” said Robert Shawn McGrew, a startup founder and consultant who served as a judge. “I’m here because I believe in the entrepreneurial mindset and want to help connect kids with the right people who can help them take their ideas to the next level.”
McGrew was busy hustling around the auditorium to do just that after the competition, making introductions between students and individuals who could help them realize their entrepreneurial goals.
Last year, BHS graduate Trey Bounds used the same competition to launch his smart pickleball paddle into production. His idea called for a paddle with built-in technology to help beginners improve their stroke, catching the attention of an investor. That helped the now-freshman business major at the University of Arkansas produce and sell a limited quantity of the product.
“These kids are amazing, and the ideas they come up with prove it,” Imel said. “It’s all about helping them embrace that entrepreneurial mindset and giving them a platform to go after an idea.”
