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2023 Young Entrepreneur(s) of the Year
This Westie is awarded to an individual student or group of students in the Westlake area who have attempted to redefine the way we live, work and play. With an undeniable hunger for opportunity and an overwhelming ability to find creative solutions to old problems, this individual or group has a viable business concept that will generate revenue.
(see below for past winners)
Finalist: Kate Avery, Kate's Cookie Co
Kate initiated her cookie business in 2020, naming it Kate’s Cookie Co. She has a deep passion for baking, but it has always been challenging for her to find a delicious gluten-free cookie, so she decided to create her own. Kate began selling her cookies to friends and neighbors in Westlake, and people genuinely enjoy them as much as she does! When individuals sample her cookies, they are pleasantly surprised to discover they are gluten-free because of their delicious taste. Despite having Cerebral Palsy, baking cookies provides Kate with a joyful and fulfilling job. At present, she operates her business from her home, baking and selling her cookies. If she can expand her sales, she aspires to employ more individuals with disabilities who share her love for cooking. Kate is dedicated to expanding her business and dreams of selling her cookies nationwide in the future. Thank you for your support, and keep an eye out for Kate’s Cookie Co on Instagram @KatesCookieCoATX.
Finalist: Connection, Westlake Business Incubator teamMeet Connection, a group of Westlake High School seniors, dedicated to creating accessible personalized care for assisted living communities! Connection is a software suite marketed to assisted living communities that connects staff, admin, and families to ensure residents are receiving the best care possible and at the same time creating an easier, more positive work environment for staff! However, this group is much more than a software suite. They are thoughtful and caring students who have seen firsthand the struggles their grandparents faced in assisted living. Since meeting at the beginning of Junior year in Westlake’s Business Incubator program, Connection has had many incredible experiences! This past spring they presented at Westlake’s pitch night and the Texas A&M Ideas Challenge. In March they will present at SXSW. Connection is currently in development and will begin beta testing very soon! Connection is everything our community stands for. When they aren’t in meetings with Assisted Living communities or neurologists creating Connection, they are giving their time volunteering at the very homes they aim to serve! Because Care is Best When Connected!
Finalist: Notifeye, Westlake Business Incubator team
Notifeye comprises a team of Westlake high school seniors, dedicated to making the world a better place. The alarming statistics surrounding distracted and drowsy driving, which claim hundreds of lives daily, motivated the team to address this critical issue. Distracted driving, often underestimated, has resulted in over 100,000 accidents this year alone, with a shocking 41% of drivers admitting to having fallen asleep while driving at least once in their lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies distracted driving as the primary cause of accident-related deaths among individuals aged 12-19 in the United States. This problem became a reality for the Notifeye team when a student was hit by a distracted driver outside of Westlake High School. In response, they developed Notifeye, a forward-facing dash camera that monitors drivers for signs of distraction or drowsiness. When detected, Notifeye issues an audible alert to refocus the driver's attention on the road. The team presented their innovative solution at Westlake High School Pitch Night and the IncubatorEDU National Pitch, securing first place in both competitions and $32k for business development. Notifeye expresses gratitude to Westlake High School and the supportive Westlake community for enabling their dream to become a reality.
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Young Entrepreneur(s) of the Year
This Westie is awarded to an individual student or group of students in the Westlake area who have attempted to redefine the way we live, work and play. With an undeniable hunger for opportunity and an overwhelming ability to find creative solutions to old problems, this individual or group has a viable business concept that will generate revenue.
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2023 Winner: PharmAssist
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2022 Winner: GIFTE
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2021 Winner: Katelyn & Kevin Yu
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2020 Winner: Sipsy
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