Providence Day School teams won first and second place in the Western North Carolina Makeathon competition hosted by the Young Founders Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill on April 17, 2021. This one-day remote event allows entrepreneurial participants to create a business and solve real-world problems that businesses face.

The first-place team included Shivanjali Bhasin ‘22, Hope Kerrigan ‘23, Talia Levine ‘22, Katie Posnanski ‘23, and Natasha Singh ‘22. The second-place team consisted of Mary Linda Dascal ‘24, Leah Horwitz ‘22, William Kirshbom ‘22, and Andrew Newmark ‘22. In addition to being recognized by the organizers of the competition, PD students also earned a monetary award for their efforts that can be used to start or grow their business.

During the competition, students developed innovative ideas to test a new market opportunity based on a specific business problem presented on the morning of the event. Throughout the day, participants spent one-on-one time with expert entrepreneurs, CEOs, and mentors who helped them learn how to build a website, find their market, develop a pitch, and create a financial model. Additionally, students and sponsoring teachers attended Skill Labs to further develop and enhance entrepreneurial skills.

The final step in the process was a business pitch to a panel of judges. The students who took part in the competition thoroughly enjoyed it and are excited about more opportunities to challenge themselves in the future. 

 Learn more here about the Teen Entrepreneurship Western NC Makeathon.