High School Entrepreneurship Program Highlights Innovation In Green Country

Tulsa and Green Country as a whole have become known as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

And to continue that into the next generation, MidAmerica Industrial Park and Tulsa-based launchpad i2E just wrapped up the inaugural high school entrepreneurship program deemed the "MidAmerica Cup."

We're happy to welcome Dave Stewart from MAIP and the winning team: Pryor seniors Cayden Knight, Johnathan Stevens and Faith Buford.

What led to developing this contest and what did it consist of?

"We recognize of course these young adults are our future. And at MidAmerica, we have 80 companies. So we're looking for a way to educate them about what's going on. And this is an extension of that to go into entrepreneurship, and give the kids a chance to show their wares as it were to do business," Stewart explained.

What stood out about Local Eyes to name it the winner?

"So Local Eyes is an app. It's supposed to target businesses. And it's supposed to connect to communities, especially local, smaller communities. We felt like there was a disconnect between people and businesses and their local towns. And so we wanted to solve that by using technology. With the Innovation Center and the cup coming out, we thought it would be a good opportunity to start everything," said Buford.

"You know, they have a business. They actually have customers, right, that are using the product, using AI and some technology. And then just some good basic sales, you know, this is a niche that is not being filled. And they saw it, and they developed it, put the team together, and presented it. And actually, I mean, they're doing a business right now," Stewart said.

Where does the MidAmerica Cup go from here?

"Well, we get more students involved, right? And then up the ante, and then make it even more technical. You know, I was one of the judges. And I hope the kids learn from that. And I want them to see that, you know, business is all encompassing. It's marketing. It's sales. It's putting a budget together. And it forces them to think. So we're just going to challenge them next year to get more teams and make it bigger and better," Stewart said.