Five young aspiring entrepreneurs participated in and completed the first MBEntreprenur Challenge. The Challenge is a five week instructional program designed for minorities between the ages of 18 – 25 who are interested in starting and running a business. The goal of the program is tocreate the next generation of minority business enterprises. Ieshia Hill, Antonio Thomas, James Wright, Drew Stevenson and Jamahl Crouch received insight into entrepreneurship through education on the fundamental skills and resources needed to successfully start a business. The program concluded with each participant presenting a business plan to a panel of judges. Ieshia Hill was selected as the winner for her business plan for Indy Teen Magazine.
The MBEntrepreneur Challenge is a partnership between the Indiana Minority Supplier Development Council, Ken Thorpe Foundation, Kenneth Allen Foundation for Entrepreneurship and YoungBiz USA. Special thanks to our judges, Brian Williams (NCAA), Mercedes Enrique (CMS Corporation), Debbie Simmons Wilson (Engaging Solutions) and James Knight (MBDA Business Center). The MBEntrepreneur Challenge was sponsored by: CMS Corporation, Fineline Printing, Indy Construction, LHP Software, VuTeq and Wingard Wheelworks.