Student Entrepreneurs Could Win Up To $10,000 In Grant Funds

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — The entrepreneurship class at Gibbs High School started a student coffee shop called GibbsBuck where students create coffee concoctions for staff and students.

Seminole High School students created an app called "SaveNTeen" that provides discounts to high school and college students from vendors catering to that age group.

East Lake High School students invented a system called "Scanned," providing a more efficient method of recording attendance at large events and meetings.

These are just a few of the ideas funded through the Pinellas County Education Foundation's Next Generation Entrepreneurs Program since its founding in 2012.

The program, open to all Pinellas County high school students, gives students the opportunity to develop products that add value to people's lives while working with business community mentors.

Students in the program will attend workshops where they learn business skills and compete for a chance to win $10,000, $3,500 or $1,500 grants to help their innovative ideas become new businesses. The registration deadline is Jan. 14.

Businesses wishing to become mentors should contact Kalleen Marquise at 727-588-4816, ext. 2114, or Kalleen.marquise@pinellaseducation.org.

Mentors participate in one or more of the four student workshops and commit two to 10 hours of time over a four-month period.