On April 24th, Harvey High School student Pablo Arredondo presented his business project "Whisker Wear," a customizable collar for dogs and cats, at the Veale Venture Challenge at Case Western Reserve University.
Students participating in Veale Venture Challenge develop entrepreneurial ideas and plans with guidance from teachers and business leaders who serve as coaches, mentors, and judges. After finalists are selected from each school’s first round of competition, student entrepreneurs move on to the finals. Student finalists receive executive coaching from real-world presentation experts, founders, and entrepreneurs to refine and perfect their presentations for the culminating round of competition in front of more than one hundred people. First, second, and third place winners receive cash prizes. All students gain self-confidence and a greater understanding of the founder mindset.
The following schools had a student participating in the finals:
- Thomas Harvey High School
- University School
- Laurel School
- Benedictine High School
- Gilmour Academy
- Cuyahoga Falls High School
- Shaker Heights High School
- St. Ignatius High School
- St. Edward High School
- Magnificat
Pablo started his Whisker Wear business as part of the ECITY program at Harvey High School taught by Harvey Business teacher Ms. Nell Rapport. He won the Harvey High School ECITY class Business Plan Competition in 2017. He advanced to win the Ernst &Young, Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Cleveland and then competed in the NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship) National Challenge in NYC in October 2017. This is the first time a Harvey High School student has participated in the Veale Venture Challenge.
Pablo won 1st place at the competition and received a check for $1,200!
Many thanks to Pablo's mentor, Ms. Mary Jane Sanders of the Lubrizol Corporation.