Manitowoc County’s Big Dreamers compete to Light Up the Lakeshore

High school students from across Manitowoc County gathered at the UW–Green Bay Manitowoc Campus Theater on Tuesday, May 15, 2019, to compete in the 2019 Light Up the Lakeshore Student Business Idea Competition. Eight students of a total of fourteen entered presented their ideas for new businesses and services to a panel of business leaders, including April Kroner (City of Manitowoc), Theresa Knonforst (Schroeder’s Department Store, Two Rivers), and Todd Nilson (Clocktower Advisors). Students from Manitowoc Roncalli and Two Rivers competed for a scholarship pool and an additional pool of in-kind services. Student ideas ranged from an indoor/outdoor venue for Airsoft and Paintball competitions to an all-ages dance club and school. The winning ideas:
-First place, Elizabeth Hoffman, The Bandwagon Hat, a customizable baseball hat
-Second place, Ryan Jacoby, Ping, a ridesharing app to reduce drunk driving
-Third place, Anthony Brady and Alexis Veleke, Manitowoc’s Open Water, an equipment rental and tour provider

The 2019 Light Up the Lakeshore Student Business Idea Competition was sponsored by Coolest Coast, Investors Community Bank, Rawley Point Economic Advising, Seehafer Media Group, Shoreline Hometown Credit Union, and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus.