Winners Announced in Student Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition

The Carson J Spencer Foundation Awards Winners in Youth Social Enterprises to Prevent Suicide at 10^th Annual Shining Lights of Hope Gala

Denver, Colorado. August 14, 2014. Social Entrepreneurship is the art of “using business skills to solve social ills.” This year over 1,000 Colorado youth did just after starting their own Social Enterprise in their schools across the state.  At the Carson J Spencer Foundation’s (CJSF) 10^th Annual Shining Lights of Hope Gala, two of these schools will be recognized as “Social Enterprise of the Year.” The event will take place on August 24^th at 5:30pm at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Details here: https://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50819/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=76477

Each year CJSF recognizes students who create businesses that both generate profit while also creating a significant social impact for youth suicide and awareness efforts.  This year 48 classrooms across the state of Colorado competed in the 6^th annual “FIRE Within Business Plan Competition.”  Since the beginning of the school year, entrepreneurship and business leadership classes from Denver, Boulder, Brighton, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Aspen and other areas in the state participated in this social entrepreneurship program called the “FIRE Within.” Student learn about entrepreneurship, marketing, budgeting, and business plan creation and then compete for seed funding.

A panel of judges from around the country, most founders or in some way involved in their own social enterprise, donated their time and expertise to judge the submitted business plans and rated these businesses on innovation, profitability, effectiveness and sustainability.

“The level of professionalism and commitment among these students’ was truly special.  The fact that they actually get hands on experience in starting and running a business geared around a social issue in their community is impressive, the fact they are successful is outstanding,” mentioned one of the competition judges.

The award for Social Enterprise of the Year in the returning business category was won by George Washington High School, led by FIRE Educator Jenn Marshall.   After learning students were overwhelmed by studies and getting into college, George Washington students started a business geared around “Learning Workshops” for students, touching on subjects like time management and college readiness.  They generated money by charging for these workshops. So impressed with their work, Denver Public Schools created the following video about these students’ success: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYH0ON9Lac0&feature=youtu.be.

The award for Social Enterprise of the Year in the new business category was awarded to Mountain Vista High School, led by FIRE Educator Mark Towne.  Mountain Vista decided to start a business around building unity after they learned students in their school felt isolated.  Their product was a sticker that promoted an evidence-based suicide prevention strategy called “Question, Persuade, Refer.”

“What I want to tell other student leaders is just one person can make a difference – helping others and spreading the cause,” said Mountain Vista student, Brenna Jensen.

During the 2014-2015 academic year, 40-50 classrooms in Colorado will be implementing the FIRE Within program in partnership with Junior Achievement and the Second Wind Fund. The program will also commence a national pilot with new schools in New York City, San Francisco, and Massachusetts.

For more information about how your community can get involved with the FIRE Within contact Sally Spencer-Thomas Sally@CarsonJSpencer.org or visit www.CarsonJSpencer.org or 720-244-6535.