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Imagine having an opportunity to take on the role of a “shark” investor on the show _Shark Tank_—but at the largest academic business plan competition in the world.
A select group of eight students from Spring Woods High School (SWHS) in Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) earned the distinction of being among 30 Houston-area high schoolers chosen by Eagle Investors to serve as Investment Prize Judges at the three-day Rice University Business Plan Competition (RBPC) held in mid-April.
After listening to and observing 42 graduate student teams from top business schools across the country present their ideas and business plans to professional venture capitalists, the Eagle Investors high school student cohort deliberated the pros and cons of products from seven graduate student finalists to determine which product they collectively believed was “most investable.”
The startup they chose received the 25,000EagleInvestorsaward.FundedbytheGoodwillIndustriesofHoustonFoundation,thiswastheonlyprizeatRBPCawardedbyhighschoolstudents.Intotal,morethan25,000 Eagle Investors award. Funded by the Goodwill Industries of Houston Foundation, this was the only prize at RBPC awarded by high school students. In total, more than 25,000EagleInvestorsaward.FundedbytheGoodwillIndustriesofHoustonFoundation,thiswastheonlyprizeatRBPCawardedbyhighschoolstudents.Intotal,morethan1.8 million in investment and cash prizes were awarded to graduate student startups from active investors participating in the competition.
Eagle Investors, first established by venture capitalist Mitra Miller and her two sons seven years ago, is a nonprofit program targeted to high school students attending Title I schools in the Houston area to expose them to the possibilities of innovative startups. Recently acquired by Goodwill Houston, the program expands the organization’s commitment to workforce development by integrating entrepreneurial education into the minds of youth in the Houston area.
Preparing to Be Investment Judges
Under the leadership of SWHS faculty sponsor Rebecca Campbell, Eagle Investor club members met about one Saturday each month during the school year to build foundational business skills and vocabulary through lessons developed by Miller and her sons. Training sessions also focused on soft skills such as firm handshakes, eye contact, business card creation, and professional attire.
Eagle Investors provided funding for the group to visit a variety of innovation centers in the Houston area to hear from and network with people involved in incubating new products.
"At the training events, students practiced pitching new business ideas," Ms. Campbell said. "It was inspiring to see them create innovative solutions to everyday problems. As a teacher—and a parent—the most impressive thing was watching them grow into young adults who could confidently interact with graduate students and even multimillionaire investors. Many walked away with offers for internships and potential job connections."
Recognizing the "Most Investable" Startup
Jaylen Campbell, a senior at SWHS, was among the Eagle Investors selected to attend RBPC. As a returning student judge, he led 30 high schoolers in discussions and deliberations to ultimately select Mablab as the winner of the Eagle Investors prize.
Mablab, founded by two graduate students, developed a test strip that instantly and accurately detects five of the deadliest lacing agents, such as fentanyl, in beverages and other substances—an innovation addressing a growing national public health issue.
"The students evaluated the broader market need and social impact of the product," said Miller. "While it’s unfortunate that such solutions are necessary today, the potential to save lives made a strong impression."
The Pinnacle Event
On the final night of RBPC, the Eagle Investors presented a $25,000 check to the Mablab team, culminating a year of building business and innovation awareness.
"At 17, I was able to work with my peers to select the most investable startup and award $25,000," Campbell said. "I don't think I could get such a unique experience anywhere else but with Eagle Investors."
Found a Calling
During his four years of participation in the program, Campbell found a calling to pursue a degree in business administration at the Texas A&M Mays Business School after graduating from SWHS this spring.
“During my time at Eagle Investors, I learned the importance that financial investments hold, along with learning more than I ever could about the business world,” he said.
Another SWHS senior, Ryan Contreras, was also selected as an Eagle Investor prize judge at RBPC. He said he learned a great deal about investing from observing the interactions of the professional venture capitalists serving as judges for other prize categories.
“I attended all three days of RBPC, and during my stay, one moment that really stood out to me was during the Q&A sessions, where I was exposed to the concerns and desires the other judges look for in these startups,” Contreras said.
He was especially impressed with the presentation skills of a company developing a cell-driven human gut product, Intero Biosystems.
“What the presenter did to catch my, and the audience's, attention was their ability to pitch their product’s uniqueness,” Contreras said. “They were the only company in the world that could produce a near-perfect duplicate of the human organ that functions the same.”
Commitment to Workforce Development
The acquisition of Eagle Investors was a natural fit for Goodwill Houston. Tommy Moore, senior chairman of the Goodwill Houston Board of Directors, met Eagle Investors students while judging at RBPC in previous years and played a key role in facilitating the merger.
“These students’ ability to analyze complex business models and make real investment decisions was beyond impressive,” Moore said. “I immediately saw how this program could enhance Goodwill Houston’s educational initiatives.”
Jumpstarting Careers and Future Investing
“The program teaches them about opportunity, jobs and wealth development from the point of view of an investor,” said Miller, the Eagle Investors founder. “They come out of the program truly changed in how they see the world and realize that if they—or someone they know—has a great idea in the future, there are ways to get others to invest in it.”
“Eagle Investors is a huge résumé builder and free experience for people of all fields,” Campbell said. “The connections you can make attending RBPC and through Eagle Investors are more valuable than anything I could ever imagine for high schoolers. Whether it’s leadership positions, connections, memories, or even the free food, Eagle Investors is a welcoming place for people to find who they want to become.”
Contreras, who will attend Texas Tech University next year to study animal science, hopes underclassmen will follow in his footsteps through the Eagle Investors initiative, noting the program’s ability to provide real-world financial knowledge that can jumpstart a career.
“Eagle Investors is very helpful in building your networking skills and promotes a hands-on method where students are allowed to converse with judges and entrepreneurs while simultaneously polishing their confidence and student résumés,” Contreras said.