The entrepreneurial spirit at ¶¶Òõ̽̽ (¶¶Òõ̽̽) continues to heat up as the inaugural final presentations of the Joy and Jerry Meyers Cup are set for April 25, 2024 in the Ifshin Hall Keller Room from 4 to 7 p.m. Three ¶¶Òõ̽̽ undergraduate teams will compete for the grand prize of $215,500 in cash, with additional in-kind services from local organizations included to ensure a successful business launch and support the Vermont entrepreneurial community.
A Year in the Making
The final presentation round will be the culmination of months of dedication and ingenuity by the student teams participating in the first annual Cup, which was announced last April and commenced in September. Interested students submitted their innovative business ideas in the first round. Two development workshops with community business partners were also held at the Grossman School in the fall to provide ongoing mentorship and invaluable feedback and assistance on students’ business ideas ahead of the initial presentation rounds.
The judging criteria cover key aspects such as team passion, problem demonstration, solution uniqueness, and go-to-market plan quality. Additionally, judges assess financial integrity, operational feasibility, growth potential, and broader impact on Vermont's society, environment, and economy.
2024 Finalists
The inaugural Joy and Jerry Meyer’s Cup 2024 finalists are:
Painting With Purpose
Jake Falanga and Zachary Dunn
Painting With Purpose (PWP) is a residential and commercial painting company that donates a portion of its profits to CVOEO's Tim's House shelter in St. Albans, VT. PWP specializes in painting but also offers lead abatement, lead inspections, power washing, and minor carpentry services. PWP is a profitable venture that has just reached its two-year anniversary this February.
Sclova
Nicole Sobczak and Michaela Sobczak
Sclova addresses the growing demand for at-home assistance amid the aging baby boomer population by connecting college students with seniors. The app allows seniors or their families to request specific tasks, such as rides, errands, or technology assistance, and college students can choose tasks that fit their schedules, offering flexibility without the commitment of minimum weekly hours. This disrupts the traditional high-cost home care model and provides a dynamic solution, enhancing seniors’ lives and offering students meaningful community interactions while earning income.
Sew Up
Lucy Powell and Taylor Moulton
Sew Up is a company that provides community members with an opportunity to receive sewing lessons that are centered around sustainability, artistic expression, and inclusion. Through customizable member packages, community members will have access to various class topics and modalities. Additionally, Sew Up will direct a portion of all sales back into a scholarship program, called the Sew Up Scholarship Fund (SUSF), that will provide low-income community members with the opportunity to receive technical sewing training, business development skills, and a strengthened sense of community within Vermont. The Sew Up team hopes to strengthen the fabric of Vermont one stitch at a time.
Mark your calendars and on April 25, 2024, where the grand prize winner will be announced. Learn about student eligibility, the competition schedule, the dedicated community business partners, the generous donors who've made this 10-year initiative possible, and the rich history behind the Joy and Jerry Meyers Cup.