Sharks choose Ignite!

INCubatorEDU@SHS Final Pitch Night was an incredible showcase of student innovation, collaboration, creativity, and entrepreneurial thinking. Our young entrepreneurs demonstrated future-ready skills as they confidently pitched their original business idea developed throughout the year.
A special thank you to our guest judges, known as the "Sharks" — Mark Linabury, Dr. Melissa Gonzalez, and James Alexander — who had the difficult honor of selecting the top business plan. While every presentation was outstanding, one team was selected to receive funding to further develop their business idea and earn the opportunity to submit their concept for a chance to attend the INCubator National Conference in Chicago. Congratulations to Ignite!
This exciting evening would not have been possible without the support of our Community Champion, Katie Key, and the incredible mentors who dedicated their time throughout the year to guide and support student teams: Reagan Phillips with Cure the Chaos, Eric Hagler of Hagler Plumbing, Dr. Jeff Burke with Elevation Land Solutions, Ross Davis of Kingwood IT, David Cherry and Page Cherry with Visibly Illustrated, and Christina Kinard, INCubator teacher, who consistently motivated, challenged, and guided students throughout the process.
The evening was more than a competition — it was a celebration of bold thinking, problem-solving, perseverance, and the limitless potential of our students. We are proud to continue creating opportunities that empower Wildcats to innovate, lead, and prepare for future success.
