2018 YIBI Youth Business Pitch Summer Semifinal

This past week, YIBI hosted the 2018 Youth Business Leadership Training (YBLT) Summer Session 2 in Fremont, California. The 27 young entrepreneurs, ranging from seventh to twelfth grade, learned about business, marketing, startups, and patents, as well as basic soft skills like handshaking and tying a tie, from guest speakers in the industry.

These students, having little to no prior experience in the business field, were separated into five teams, and in just five days, under the guidance of YIBI President Erika Yang and mentors Chloe Chan and Max Chou, each team created a startup to compete at the Semi-Finals on Saturday, June 23rd, 2018.

The event was very competitive; each team’s products were all very feasible, their presentations were very strong, and everyone demonstrated vast knowledge of business and marketing. As a result, the judges, who have extensive experience in business, technology, and startups, had a hard time determining winners.

The first place winner, Team Parkway, developed an app allowing drivers to park their cars on homeowners’ driveways in crowded areas with limited parking, such as beaches and malls.

Coming in close for second was Team ArriveAlive, who designed an app to prevent texting while driving, especially in teens. They marketed their app with the slogan, “Don’t Text and Drive, ArriveAlive.”

The final three teams: Team BeachIn, an indoor beach for beach lovers who live far from the coast; Team Lend ‘n Rent, a platform for users to rent items for a small price; and Team Eatables, an app devised to help people, specifically travelers, with dietary restrictions find suitable restaurants; participated in a tiebreaker, where each team presented their products in a thirty-second elevator pitch to the judges. Ultimately, Team BeachIn’s feasibility and originality enabled them to claim third place.

Team Parkway, Team ArriveAlive, and Team BeachIn will all be advancing to the 2018 YBLT International Grand Conference this August, competing against finalists from the Winter Sessions, Spring Session, and Summer Sessions, as well as international teams from places like Zimbabwe and Korea.

By Chloe Chan