Methacton High School’s (MHS) INCubatoredu teams presented their final pitch on Wednesday, May 21. Eight different teams put forward their self-created product. The goal was simple, to win money to take their business to the next level. The Methacton Education Foundation donates funds every year to the MHS INCubatoredu program, allowing young businesses to develop and young entrepreneurs to evolve.
The class is directed by Mr. Michael Urbassik who organizes pitch dates, guest speakers and mentors to assist the teams.
Each group's first pitch took place in early April, aiming at initial funding. They spent the first half of the year developing their product which had to be ready by May. Each group receives a different amount of funding following the first pitch, determined by the judges based on their review of the group's pitch and requested amount. Then, the teams inform judges on what they did with that funding in a shark tank style pitch, attempting to gain more money to continue their business.
The group then creates an asking price which includes money to create the product to be available to show for the final pitch. Then, for the final pitch, each group asks for more money, but judges only split checks out typically to the top two teams.
More on the five judges:
- James Aronow recently retired from his role as VP of Sales for DASL Mid-Atlantic at Disney Ad Sales, part of Disney General Entertainment Content.
- Dr. Winifred Hayes is the founder and chief executive officer of Hayes Inc., a health technology research and consulting firm. She has been engaged with the INCubatoredu program since it began at MHS and has been instrumental in the origins and ongoing success of the course. Dr. Hayes is a part of Methacton Education Foundation’s board.
- Susan Smith is an entrepreneur and owner of the jewelry business Loopty Hoops. She has been engaged with the INCubatoredu program since it began at MHS. In addition to her role on the Board of Advisors, she has served as a guest instructor in the class, sharing her experience in marketing.
- Wendy Williams is the owner of Williams & Co. Jewelers. Her business has been part of the Skippack, PA community for thirty-three years.
- Joe Gorla is a Senior Financial Analyst in the Global Products & Solutions division at Cencora in Conshohocken, PA.
The eight teams at the final pitch were:
- Club Casual
- Stay Stocked
- Natures Nails
- Waffle Your Way
- extendGOAL
- Magnitude
- McMaster’s Landscaping & Odd Jobs
- Sleevees
After careful consideration, the five judges came to a decision. Stay Stocked received second place, and Nature's Nails placed first. Congratulations to both teams including Jill McTaminy, Nick Remish and Evan
