The Office of the Nassau County Comptroller hosted its seventh annual Comptroller’s Entrepreneurial Challenge on March 29 at SUNY Old Westbury.
The Challenge featured more than a dozen student-led teams from public schools across Nassau County creating a fictional organization’s comprehensive business plan and elevator pitch in a “Shark Tank”-style’ format. The student teams were instructed to tailor their pitches to the theme of civic innovation within one of two categories: technology and social entrepreneurship. The program was geared to inspire students to not only create a successful business plan, but also give back and make a positive impact in their communities.
“The Challenge is designed to give students with different backgrounds and passions an opportunity to get involved and pitch their ideas to create businesses that will do good for our communities while doing well in front of local business and nonprofit leaders,” Nassau County Comptroller Jack Schnirman said. “Any young person can make a difference in their community and be a citizen superhero through civic innovation or social entrepreneurship, and the Challenge is a great platform to showcase the next generation of leaders in Nassau County.”
A total of 18 teams from 12 schools each comprised of five students took part in the competition. Each student was tasked with filling different executive roles of a start-up technology company or community-oriented nonprofit. Throughout the school year, the teams developed an organizational plan and ultimately presented it to a panel of judges during the challenge event.
“We’re excited to host this innovative business competition, bringing more than one hundred high school students and future business leaders on campus to pitch their creative ideas,” said Dr. Raj Devasagayam, dean of the School of Business at SUNY Old Westbury. “Bringing this competition focused on entrepreneurship to our campus is a natural fit to enhance the experience for students.”
The “Shark Tank”-style judging panel was comprised of community business and civic leaders, and the event was sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union and SUNY Old Westbury.
The judges for the event included: Robert Suarez, Bethpage Federal Credit Union; Shalei Simms, SUNY Old Westbury; Marissa Hoffmann, SUNY Old Westbury; Jillian Weston, Jillian’s Circus; Brian Berkery, Creative Vibe Advertising; Shari James, James Consulting Group LLC; Retha Fernandez, Urban League LI; Jacob Dixon, Choice for All; Stacey Sykes, Hofstra University Center for Entrepreneurship; Rebecca Sanin, Health & Welfare Council; Dexter Hedgepath, Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs; and Dr. Carolyn McCummings, Nassau County Department of Human Services.
“Congratulations to all teams involved on developing some tremendous plans for businesses and nonprofits here in Nassau County,” Schnirman said. “I was blown away by the unique ideas tailor-made to thrive in our communities, and I’m honored to recognize this year’s winners.”
Technology Category
High School/Team Name
1st place: New Hyde Park Memorial Nubis
2nd place: East Meadow High School Drop Cycle
3rd place: Floral Park Memorial Team Beta
Honorable Mentions:
Carle Place High School GreenScore
New Hyde Park Memorial Biobox
JFK High School SkySource
Social Entrepreneurship Category
High School/Team Name
1st place: East Meadow High School CollegePro
2nd place: Syosset High School Tota Vita
3rd place: MacArthur High School Planet Earth Hydro
Honorable Mentions:
North Shore High School Advise
Massapequa High School Let Us Eat
Baldwin High School Life Coach Watch
