December 10, 2024
The inaugural FuturePreneurs Pitch Showcase, hosted by Sierra Business Council and the Truckee Chamber of Commerce, was a resounding success, filling the Truckee Town Council Chambers with a crowd excited to witness the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of local teenagers presenting six innovative business ideas. The event, held last Friday, December 6, was the culmination of an intensive week-long education program designed to teach these young entrepreneurs the tools to develop their business ideas and present a “pitch” to potential investors and the community.
Six teams presented their inspiring company ideas which showcased everything from creative solutions to pressing local issues to forward-thinking ideas for future markets. Their hard work, creativity, and confidence were met with applause from an audience of community members, business leaders, family, and friends.
Winners of the showcase were selected by an expert panel of judges and the audience, with prizes awarded for first place, second place, and people’s choice.
The first-place winner was EmpowHER, a female-focused gym created by Jessica Wurzelbacher, Hattie Kaplan, and Melanie Marquez Cruz, aiming to provide an empowering and inclusive space where you can build a strong body, strong mind, and a strong future.
The second-place winner was Grad Grind, an innovative app concept designed by Anthony Garcia-Ramirez, Estefanía Gaitan Meza, Valentina Vasquez, and Iratze Aguilar Solorio to help high school students navigate the college application process in a budget-and time-friendly way.
The People’s Choice winner was Second Serving, a logistics concept developed by Jazmine Sanchez-Valdez, Lily Fay, Olive Masterson, and Litzy Payan. Their idea focuses on collecting unused food from vacation rental homes and delivering it to food banks and soup kitchens.
The finalists also included:
Huge thanks to the program mentors and judges for their commitment to fostering the future of entrepreneurship in Truckee. The success of this FuturePreneurs Pitch Week highlights the impact of collaboration on our community. Join the Truckee Chamber of Commerce and Sierra Business Council for FuturePreneurs in 2025 and see the next generation of local leaders and innovators!
This program was made possible by generous support of Plumas Bank.
