| SPRING 2024

Highlights from Project ECHO's

2024 Teen Business Plan Competition



Helping Teens Innovate + Participate + Succeed Since 1996

In a whirlwind of innovation and determination, this year's Business Plan Competition saw an incredible turnout at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Sixty business teams from 23 high schools, clubs, and after-school programs from across 5 states participated in the event with several joining in via Zoom. Amidst fierce competition, 11 exceptional teams emerged victorious, walking away with a total of $7,500 in college scholarships. About 225 students participated in this year's competition, all of whom deserve to be celebrated for completing the Launching ECHO Program capstone event. The 2024 Highlights Newsletter celebrates the incredible achievements of all of our young entrepreneurs, along with this year's winning teams.

Project ECHO's capstone event was hosted at California State University, Dominguez Hills, College of Business Administration and Public Policy, in Carson, CA. More than 225 teens participated, 60 judges evaluated written business plans 25 judges assessed presentations, and hundreds of teachers, parents, friends, volunteers, and supporters cheered the teens on!

Helping Teens Stand-Out in Today's Competitive College Landscape

Project ECHO's entrepreneurship program offers high school students more than just classroom lessons; it's a gateway to invaluable college readiness skills. Through immersive experiences, teens improve upon teamwork, problem-solving, and public speaking, while receiving mentorship, expanding their networks, and elevating their personal confidence levels. Engaging in a dynamic business plan competition, they gain real-world insights that set them apart in the competitive landscape of college applications.

Thank you CSUDH, Judges, and Volunteers

You helped make this year's event a success!

Partnerships are the cornerstone of Project ECHO's success. A heartfelt thank you to CSU, Dominguez Hills, for sponsoring this event and sharing the Innovation and Instruction building with our teens. In addition, thank you to the hundreds of judges and volunteers for making our business plan competition phenomenal. Your partnership and support are invaluable assets, and the ROI potential for our young entrepreneurs is phenomenal. ​

Did you know? The In N' Out Burger truck can serve 200 double doubles an hour?

Competition Highlight Video

A quick reel of the eight finalists!

Welcoming Nation-Wide Business Plan Competitors

Multiple teams from several states participated in the 2024 Business Plan Competition, live via Zoom. "Recognizing the growth of Project ECHO's entrepreneurship programs beyond our Southern California roots has been an amazing accomplishment," said Diane Quast, Executive Director. This year's winning team, Outside Connection, is from Pennsylvania, and the judges were very impressed with their written business plan, their pitch, and participation in the judges Q & A.

This victory underscores the competition's growing impact, in addition to celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit thriving across different regions.

Winner of our 2024

Social Media Competition!

The 2024 Social Media Challenge winning team that was awarded $100 is Blue Bond from Peer 1 on 1.

Congratulations to Kathryn Lin, C.E.O., and her team which posted an engaging short reel on Tik Tok and Instagram that showcased the benefits of Project ECHO's entrepreneurship program. Their video rocked 400+ views on Instagram and a whopping 1000k+ on TikTok!

Did your students participate in Project ECHO or the Business Plan Competition? Let us feature your classroom on our social media channels. Simply submit your favorite photos to media@projectecho.org.

ECHO ALUMNI

Stay in touch! Follow us on Instagram @ #LaunchECHO, post your business success, and join our alumni network! Let us know how Project ECHO helped you.

Social Enterprise

This category of competition is intended to capture, hospitality, food, entertainment, social entrepreneur-based companies, and those companies who donate more than 25% of their net profit back to social causes.

Services

Service-based businesses are defined as services sold to individuals that derive much of their value from intangible elements that can't be touched.

Products

Product-based companies, sell physical merchandise, apparel, and other material goods that cannot be consumed.

And announcing the

Jeff Weigel Road Warrior Award

An award established in memory of our cherished Board member whose passion and dedication to youth entrepreneurship enriched our mission.

This award is graciously funded by the Redondo Beach Rotary.

Given to a team that embodies Mr. Weigel’s spirit of integrity, generosity and kindness and is dedicated to improving our world. This award celebrates their innovative problem-solving and commitment to the betterment of society. The judges voted to award two winners, with special thanks to two volunteers who funded the second scholarship.Project ECHO was delighted that Karen Weigel and XXX were present to present the winning teams with this very special award.

Teacher of the Year

Chip Goodman Entrepreneurial Teacher of the Year Award

In recognition of your commitment to teaching entrepreneurship, and for supporting your students thoroughly as they participate in Project ECHO’s program.

(l. to r.: Natalie Cook with Diane Quast, Executive Director)

Presented to

Natalie Cook, B.S., M.S.

Charter Oak High School - Covina, CA

Special thanks to our sponsors

CSUDH and Cal CPA

click each image for more information!

Make an Impact!

Project ECHO is a nonprofit organization striving to make a difference in the lives of business focused teens. Your generosity helps underwrite the enrollment fees of teens and schools that understand the significance of an entrepreneurship education, and the benefits to teens who will use this opportunity as a stepping stone to their future. Please consider making a donation today!

Since 1996, Project ECHO has empowered thousands of teens with

entrepreneurial and leadership skills so that they can thrive in college,

their careers and in their community as change-makers.