Four teams of young entrepreneurs emerged Thursday night to share in $6,000 in cash prizes at the 2023 iGen Challenge.
The Innovation Generation Challenge (iGen) showcases student entrepreneurs from across the school district, totalling 130 teams, with the final eight teams presenting their business acumen downtown at the Innovation Centre.
The contest judges ultimately added a fourth-place winner due to the high quality of all the presentations and emerging businesses.
The winners were:
1st Place ($3,000) 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ Multi-Pliers, Tyson Caul & Jared Gregor, Okanagan Mission Secondary (OKM)
2nd Place ($2,000) 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ Creator Castle, Noah Garcia (OKM)
3rd Place ($1,000) 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ Paws & Play, Ben Ramsey & Everett Boutcher (George Elliot Secondary)
4th Place ($500) 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ Gutter Guys, Kylan Urban & David Ross (Mount Boucherie Secondary)
The other four teams reaching the final were: Meghan Bakay (OKM), Kate Priebe and Joe Vandenberg (Rutland Senior), Lian Buella (MBSS) and Mahik Toora (RSS).
The judges for the iGen Finale were Kevin Kaardal Krista Mallory, Dallas Chelick, Richard Takai and Michelle Webber.
Mentors who assisted the iGen finalists included Bennett Ford (GESS), Callie Miller (CMS), Clinton Birnie (HMS), Kelsey Hill (RMS), Kevin McDowall (MBSS), Nicole Fedkiw (OKM), Tracy Hayhurst (RMS), Travis Holmes (RSS), Tyler Jensen (RSS), Sarah Wood (career programs) and Natalie Levinsen (career programs).
