Butler and Randolph Students Win Entrepreneurship Prizes

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (April 16, 2014) – The Village of Promise - Randolph School Academic Challenge culminated on Sunday, April 13, with two triumphant winners of the Entrepreneurship Competition.

The first-place prize went to Randolph School sophomore Mr. Saahil Katyal for creating the Math Attack Interactive Textbook, a colorful and fun electronic curriculum for teaching math to children.

The second-place prize, sponsored by Junior Achievement, went to Butler High School freshman Ms. Meleen Harding for designing the Beauty Folder, a prototype makeup kit for busy teens that includes a mobile app for viewing instructions.

Mr. Coleman Martinson, a freshman at Randolph School, took third place with the Bott, a prototype mobile-phone case that also serves as a battery charger, is powered by a battery pack, and is perfect for hikers and campers far from the electrical grid.

On behalf of the College of Business Administration at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), Dr. John R. Whitman, interim director of the Innovation, Commercialization, and Entrepreneurship Lab at the College, presented the first-place prize. It consisted of a summer internship and stipend for $2,500, sponsored by the Village of Promise; a seat in the new VIBE Downtown co-working space for entrepreneurs, sponsored by the UAH College of Business Administration and managed by BizTech; and mentorship by business professionals and other entrepreneurs. The second-place prize consisted of membership in the summer Entrepreneurship Camp held at the UAH College of Business Administration.

"Saahil is the perfect startup leader, with high energy, an informed focus, and the drive to overcome obstacles and reduce risk as he makes his vision to teach kids math a reality," says Whitman, who also teaches entrepreneurship and leadership courses at the UAH Business School. "He should thrive in the new co-working space in Courthouse Square this summer, not only learning from fellow entrepreneurs, but also helping them along as well. Keep your eyes on Mr. Katyal."

Contestants faced a formidable battery of judges, including Ginger Harper of IberiaBank; Dabsey Maxwell of Progress Bank; Martha Pullen of Pullen Press LLC; Dick Reeves of Angel Investment Group; Gary Tauss, former CEO of BizTech; and Bob Thurber of BizTech, who is also a highly successful entrepreneur and builder of the Thurber Arts Center at the Randolph School, the venue of the event.

"The Village of Promise - Randolph School Academic Challenge has now completed its second year, and we look forward to continuing this annual event," says Ms. Bobby Bradley, co-founder and CEO of the Village of Promise. "This event not only allows students to showcase their oratorical, debating, and math skills learned from schooling, but also serves as a launch pad for young entrepreneurs who can make their dreams a reality from the moment they walk on the stage."