Clark County (Nev.) Student Entrepreneurs to Pitch Their Businesses at CES 2018
November 12, 2017
Three teams of Clark County (Nev.) student entrepreneurs earned the opportunity to pitch their business ideas at CES 2018 - owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) - Jan. 9-12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The teenagers are part of the CTA Future Innovators program - established by CTA and EVERFI in 2015 - which teaches students how to apply math and creative skills to think entrepreneurially about business.
During a recent semi-final round, 17 teams of students pitched their business plans to four judges: Cindy Hoag, senior director, CTA; Helena Lagos, director, Rebel Venture Fund; Joshua Leavitt, vice president, Society of Information Management; Yin Nawaday, founder & CEO, Icebox Consulting Group. The teams advancing to the final round at CES are:
- Conditional Cubes from Cimarron-Memorial High
- Estavillo-Lisama from Northwestern Career and Technical Academy
- Addendum LLC from Southwestern Career and Technical Academy
"CTA is committed to building the next generation of entrepreneurs, and the CTA Future Innovators program is a great way to get today's students thinking outside the box," said Jennifer Taylor, vice president, U.S. Jobs, CTA.
She added, "Learning how to start a new business helps teenagers apply unconventional talents and skills to a business idea, encouraging them to think critically and solve real-world challenges. Las Vegas is our second home, and we're thrilled to provide local students with the foundational skills they need to become future technology leaders in Nevada and beyond."
"This is a tremendous opportunity for Clark County students to present their business ideas to expert judges ahead of CES," said Snehal Bhakta, education project facilitator, Clark County School District Career & Technology. "These students are definitely on the right path to be leading innovators and problem-solvers for the Nevada workforce."
All participating students successfully completed the CTA Future Innovators program that included an interactive digital learning course called Venture - Entrepreneurial Expedition™, powered by EVERFI.
The student pitches are designed to focus on practical ideas that can be implemented locally to solve pressing issues for the county and state.
"CTA is a perfect partner for this student pitch competition, as we both inspire and cultivate the next generation of future leaders," said Jon Chapman, president of global partnerships, EVERFI.
He added, "We are proud to provide students with the opportunity to put the creative and entrepreneurial skills they've learned through Venture to tangible use right here in the Las Vegas community and before the world's leading tech innovators in January."
The Conditional Cube team was represented by students Aspen Anderson, Morgan Hershey, Ajaya Branch and their teacher Jennifer Miller.
Estavillo-Lisama was represented by students Cherese Lisama, Jaslin Estavillo and their teacher Denise Cale.
Addendum LLC was composed of students Anish Chejerla, Ishaan Raja and their teacher Katherine Burns. These participants will present their business plans Jan. 12 at CES.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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