Nearly 140 young entrepreneurs from around the region competed this weekend at the JA Company of the Year Competition, the culminating event for the JA student companies who have spent the last eight months designing, launching and operating a startup company with their peers.
The Competition is designed to put the student startups to the test as they share their business performance in numerous formats and present their business pitch to a panel of esteemed local business leaders. The winning team earns the distinguished title of JA Company of the Year.
The event was part of the 2019-2020 JA Company Program®, an intensive program that offers high schoolers the chance to put their ideas into action by launching and running a real startup under the guidance of business professionals.
The eight startups competing in the competition included:
In the midst of uncertain and challenging times, the student companies adapted seamlessly by pivoting to a virtual world so that team operations and collaboration could continue. Over 284 individuals registered to view the live-streamed finale event on May 16, 2020.
Click here to view the event program.
Check out the results of the JA Company of the Year Competition below!
COMPETITION RESULTS
COMPANY OF THE YEAR AWARD
The teams’ overall business performance was evaluated in the following areas: Company Report, Commercial, Interview and Pitch.
Congratulations, Winners!
First Place: Podseedtivity
Second Place: Sasa
Third Place: Stickers Speak
Thank you, Judges!
Peter Abrahams, Market President and Publisher, Washington Business Journal
Adam Roberts, Executive Director, Bethesda Green
Justin Rosenberg, Founder and CEO, honeygrow
Trang Sabel, Customer Success Director, Salesforce
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Individual Achievement Awards were presented to company leaders who consistently supported the development of innovative strategies, successfully saw all tasks through to their completion, welcomed their team’s ideas and contributions, and gained the respect of others.
Congratulations, Winners!
Rookie of the Year: Junie Mertus, Illuminated Vibes
Alumnus of the Year: Jennifer Yang, Envism
Finance Director of the Year: Vivek Nerang, Envism
Marketing Director of the Year: David Ramirez, Podseedtivity
Sales Director of the Year: Krishan Shah, Podseedtivity
Supply Chain Director of the Year: Bryce Stephens, Scientists in Training
CEO of the Year: Linda Wu, Envism
Thank you, Individual Award Judges!
Kyle Baumel, Hines
Mike Bryan, Big League Advance, LLC
Anton de Roo, UnitedHealthcare
C Kim Euyq, State Farm
Jon Glass, Savills
Adrianne Griffith, Alexandria Economic Development
Jennifer Holm, BoBella Brands
Dan Jones, Deloitte
Gabrielle Kohlmeier, Verizon
Durecia Moorer, ABCD & Company
Kambiz Rahnavardy, Federated Wireless
Julie Simmons, Human Capital Strategic Consulting
Pamela Sorenson, High Frequency Consulting, LLC
Mimi Yeh, Connected DMV