On May 29, 2019, Kempsville High School hosted their second annual INCubatoredu Pitch Night, for sophomore Entrepreneurship and Business Academy (EBA) teams to pitch their business ideas to a panel of industry experts in a competition for funding. Seven companies pitched their final business presentations before answering questions and accepting proposal critiques in a competition for funding.

The seven teams pitching, BundllT, Ecoviv, Flexza, Melanin Prime, Shred Sheetz, Sneakie Clean and Sought N’ Found, had competed against eight other teams to be presented as the pitch selections for that night. They presented elevator pitches, or business explanations and displays, in the hallway as well as the library, along with the eight other teams, where they advertised their businesses to visitors and judges. Teams that were participating in elevator pitches were also given the option to gain funding, as a $500 award was given for the best elevator pitch, and $500 was given to the best trade show display.

After elevator pitches were held from 4:30 to 5:30, the INCubatorsedu students pitched their business proposals to a group of contributing entrepreneurs and to Bruce Thompson, the CEO of Gold Key | PHR, who hosted and who plays a key role in contribution towards EBA initiatives. Evan Nied, sophomore class president, co-hosted.

Students pitching presented their business plans and statistics, including marketing plans and social media presences, as well as explained how much they were looking for in start-up funds and where they planned to direct those funds. After judge deliberation, BundllT, which was the first pitch, was awarded the first place prize of $10,000.

“BundllT is an alternative way of having to carry your sports equipment that’s organized and offers the luxury of not having to carry another bag,” explained their proposal sign.

The team members and creators: Haley Ocampo, Jesse Ankney, Kristian Spencer, and Lillianna Burton, are all athletes who struggled with having to carry multiple bags for sports. BundllT’s design was of a buckle-on bag that easily attaches to the back of a backpack to which you can attach sports supplies, such as lacrosse sticks or bats. They proposed two models: one was black and opaque while the second, newer model, was more colorful and included meshing so that athletic clothes placed inside could air out easily. Both models also had areas where sports shoes could be attached, and they had test tried their models among student athletes.

“I feel happy [and] accomplished,” said Kristian Spencer, the chief technology officer (CTO) of BundllT. “I remember starting at the beginning of the year and it was just an idea.”

Haley Ocampo, who is BundllT’s central public information officer (CPIO) said that she felt relieved at BundllT’s win.

BundllT plans to use the money to work on building their business.

For second and third place a tie was reached, and $7,000 was awarded to both winning groups: Shred Sheetz and Ecoviv.

Shred Sheetz, created by Adriana Abraham, John Samples, Ronan Livingston, and Antwoin Curry, is an adhesive suede patch that can be cut to cover rips and tears on shoes, particularly of skaters. They also want to branch out into other decorative designs and patches.

Ecoviv, which tied with Shred Sheetz, uses plastic bottles and recycled materials to create bracelets. They take little strips of recycled plastic and heat and mold them into beads, and donate 5% of their monthly earnings to a charity of the month.

“I feel on top of the world!” Said Hannah Ruffin, chief marketing and communications officer (CMCO) of Ecoviv.

“We’re saving the planet with this money right here,” added Anastasia Lyubushkina, who is Ecoviv’s chief financial officer (CFO).

The group got more money then they asked for, and they plan on putting their money into marketing, materials, and expanding their business into other types of jewelry.  

They decided to create an environmentally positive business when they saw an article about a turtle with a straw in its nose.

“That really sparked something for all of us,” said Ava Swirzinski, COO. “We really felt instead of making a business for profit, that we wanted to help back and help the community.”

The company pitched with the proposal of going completely non-profit, but judges advised that they make money before they give it back, and Ecoviv said they would consult with their mentors before coming to a final conclusion on that front.

“We want to expand on our business and continue on with the current work that we’ve been doing,” said Ruffin.

“- and spread awareness about a preventable problem,” added Saniyya Giddens, CTO.

Companies Vai-Kelu and Sought N’ Found also each won $500, as Sought N’ Found won Best Trade Show Display, and Vai-Kelu Best Elevator Pitch.  

In total, $25,000 was allotted to student businesses as start-up money.