On Wednesday, March 5, entrepreneurship students arrived at school ready to pitch their business proposals on their long-awaited Entrepreneurship Day. Business students would pitch their business plans to industry professionals.

“The teams within the eight entrepreneurship classes will have a solid pitch deck they have worked on for months,” International Business and Entrepreneurship Department Chair Daniela Brenha said.

Each classroom had up to four judges who scored the business pitches. Groups that met the criteria moved to the next round, which will be held at the MCK campus. The winning team will go on to compete in Innovate South Florida against other schools.

The “Entrepreneurship Day” event is the highlight of the entrepreneurship course, with students preparing for several months. Teachers and mentors guided students during Mentorship Week (Jan. 27-31)–a smaller-scale judging event.

“We are preparing, finalizing, and pressing our presentation taking the advice that the mentors gave us in Mentorship Week. Entrepreneurship Day lets students get a feel for what it takes to pitch a business and be a true Entrepreneur. I’m excited to see my work that I am passionate about finally come together,” sophomore Stella Balestrazzi said.

Entrepreneurship students have been practicing and preparing multiple projects leading to their final presentation for Entrepreneurship Day. Presentations included actual business outlines, with all their components, such as income statements and marketing strategies.

“My group and I spent a lot of time practicing and we are confident about presenting. If we have an opportunity and the judges think we have a chance, then I would love to take it to the next level,” sophomore Nicky Molina said.

Meeting the judges provided valuable opportunities for the students, offering insights from successful business owners, alumni, and professionals. Their feedback could help students make connections, access resources, and take the first steps toward turning their business ideas into reality.