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INCubator Students Pitch and Match with Mentors

A business professional listens to a student proposal
INCubator Students Pitch and Match with Mentors
 
 
Para leer este artículo en español, haga clic en la bandera en la esquina inferior derecha y cambie el idioma.
 
 
 
A student and potential business mentor shake hands
 
 
Students in Fenton’s Incubator class recently took an important step in developing their business ideas by sharing their first pitches with local business professionals who volunteered to serve as mentors throughout the school year.
 
Students set up in a gallery-style format on September 16 and mentors circulated around the room. This gave each student team an opportunity to pitch its idea directly to potential mentors, answer questions, and receive initial feedback through one-on-one conversations.
 
After hearing the pitches, mentors selected the student teams they will work with at least once per week and guide along their entrepreneurial journeys. 
 
A business mentor smiles while giving advice on a clever student idea
 
 
With support from these experienced professionals, students will explore the many facets of starting and operating a business, including ideation, research, marketing, accounting, human resources and legal considerations.
 
The course culminates in May with a final Pitch Night, when student teams present their refined business concepts to a Board of Advisors, similar to “sharks” from the hit TV show Shark Tank, for the chance to secure funding and bring their ideas to life.
 
 
The group of business mentors pose for a photo with Fenton's INCubator teachers
 
 
Thank you to the following industry professionals who are serving as our INCubator mentors:
  • Ryan Treiber – Director of Corporate Strategy at Chicago White Metal Casting, Inc.
  • Tai Crowell – Marketing and SEO Specialist at Chicago White Metal Casting, Inc.
  • Daniel Nunez – Owner Operator of Planted Seed Property Maintenance
  • Cristie Field – Owner of Wild Alchemy Boutique + Studio
  • Nabeel Sohail – Cyber Threat Intel Analyst
  • Tony Desanti – Owner of ZipSafe
  • Stan Hansen – Marketing Supervisor at the Bensenville Park District
  • Claire Rajcevich – Retired USPS Postal Professional and Former Small Business Owner
  • Nadia Mikell – Owner of Indigo Entertainment Group
  • Jon Lamek – Owner of Windy City Comfort Project
 
A prospective mentor poses with a student team she just evaluated
 
 
A mentor writes on a notepad while listening to a student pitch.
 
 
A prospective mentor asks a group of female students to share more about their business idea.
 
 
A business professional listens to a student proposal
 
 
A mentor poses with a student team he just evaluated.