(4.21) Defeat the Odds: Pitch Finale
A Talk by Alexa McGovern , Wes Schroll , Collin Yip , Vani Mittal , Gabby Lopes , Sonia L. Alleyne , Nasiba Alikulova , Susanna Bie , Emily Zhang , Eli Hession and Michelle Morris
About this Talk
The Defeat the Odds pitch competition stage will host a live business pitch session for finalists competing in the inaugural competition hosted by Fetch. The featured finalists, all local high school students, will have 5 minutes to pitch their original business ideas to a panel of industry pro judges, including Wes Schroll, Founder and CEO of America’s Rewards App, Fetch, for the chance to win a $10,000 cash prize.
The student founders who will be pitching:
- Soulstice Shades with Eli Hession
- BUDget App with Gabby Lopes
- TelePark with Sarada Koppana, Vani Mittal and Deepika Bhardwaj
- GreenBox with Matthew Bruce
- SafeSip with Susanna Bie, Emily Zhang and Nasiba Alikulova
Join us in supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and their innovative ideas!
About The Speakers
Founder, Dirigo Sea Farm
Alexa McGovern is the Founder of Dirigo Sea Farm, a bioplastic materials company based in Maine.
CEO & Founder, Fetch
Wes Schroll is a visionary leader known for turning the impossible into reality. Hailing from Acton, Massachusetts, Wes headed to the University of Wisconsin with two startups under his belt and soon found inspiration for his third venture—Fetch.
Managing Partner, Rafi Properties
Collin Yip is the founder and managing partner of Rafi Properties, a real estate investment, development, and asset management firm with offices in Boston and Hong Kong.
CEO of TelePark, TelePark
Vani Mittal is a rising junior at Acton Boxborough Regional High School, MA.
Founder, BUDget
Gabby Lopes is an incoming freshman studying finance and technology entrepreneurship at Babson College, as well as a 2024 graduate of Plymouth North High School.
Faculty, Executive In Residence, Suffolk University - Sawyer Business School
Sonia L. Alleyne is originally from London, England. Ms. Alleyne currently serves as Executive in Residence, and a member of the Faculty in the Sawyer Business School Department of Public Service and Healthcare Administration.
Founder, SafeSip
Susanna is a senior at Sharon High School dedicated to making a positive impact in her community.
Safe Sip
Emily Zhang is a rising high school senior at Sharon High School, and is deeply involved in her school community, holding various leadership roles in multiple clubs such as Key Club, Tri-M Music Honor Society, and Science Olympiad.
Founder, Soulstice Shades
Eli Hession, an 18-year-old entrepreneur and Marshfield local, has been passionate about creative projects since childhood, from arts to small business ventures.
