PetFit wins RE Business Plan Challenge
Three Ransom Everglades juniors who love their dogs and want to ensure their pets’ long-term wellbeing devised a harness equipped with electronics to monitor a dog’s health and location. Their plan for PetFit, unveiled during the 7th Annual Business Plan Challenge March 2 at the Pagoda, proved the favorite of an alumni panel of judges and advanced to the Innovate South Florida 2020 High School Business Plan Competition.
Anders Aagaard ’21, Samuel Lindemann ’21 and Walker White ’21 will take their plan to the April 1 high school competition at Miami Dade College after having persuaded the RE judging panel that their proposal for colorful pet harnesses each with a built-in heartrate monitor, pedometer, thermometer and GPS would stave off problems such as heat stroke and help dogs live longer, healthier lives.
Jonah Bennett ’21, Javier Garcon ’21 and Jordan Hoffman ’21 earned second place with their pitch for Tune Up, a platform for bringing the music community closer together. Their proposal called for the creation of a digital marketplace to readily link those with an interest in music to instruments and instruction.
The students presented detailed proposals to an alumni panel of judges – trustee and physician Elana Oberstein-Harris '93, CEO of the Lion Group Michael Simkins ’95 and Remzy.com founder David Harris '95 – who deliberated for 30 minutes before selecting the winners. Richard Jackson, a former RE parent who is the chair of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), lauded all of the student entries at the conclusion of the event. Jen Nero, one of the teachers of the AP Micro/Macroeconomics course for which the business plan challenge is a central component, served as event emcee.
Five groups of students presented in March 2 final.
Preston Edmunds ’20, Mia Landman ’20 and Claudia Pinilla ’20 pitched Crave and Save, an app targeted to cash-strapped college students that promotes healthy meals at affordable prices.
Cy Busson ’21 and Lucas Gomez ’21 explained their plan for Hoodies for Hope, apparel designed by local artists used to promote and support social causes.
Bruce Leight ’21 and Nicolas Stone Perez ’21 shared their plan for S2S, a peer-to-peer service that uses artificial intelligence to assist students who have the greatest need and the least access to the college counseling process.
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2045 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 250 6850
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Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.