Nicholas Cizin of Hillsborough was one of the finalists in Seton Hall University’s first high-school Pirate Pitch entrepreneurship event. He is fourth from the left in the first row. (Photo courtesy of Joy Yagid)
Hillsborough student Nicholas Cizin was named one of the finalists at Seton Hall University’s inaugural high school Pirates Pitch competition.
His idea, Elite Hockey Camps, was to design intense youth hockey training camps, which are lacking in the area.
Budding entrepreneurs from around the nation gathered at Seton Hall University in South Orange to present their business ideas to a judging panel of corporate executives. The 10 finalists were from a pool of more than 250 from 20 states, as well as Italy and Zimbabwe.
“The tremendous response confirmed that today’s young people are truly the entrepreneurial generation. The high school students who participated in our competition dream big and have the passion to pursue their dreams,” said Susan Scherreik, founding director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Stillman School of Business.
Based on the center’s college Pirate Pitch competition, the event was geared to teaching high school students entrepreneurship basics and idea generation, as well as to recognize and reward students with entrepreneurial know-how.
Matthew Lewis, a North Hunterdon High School junior from Asbury, came in first place and received $2,500 and a $10,000 Seton Hall University scholarship. His company, Phish Train, is a startup focused on Internet security and the prevention of email phishing scams.
In second place was Jared Kofsky, a senior from South Orange. His website, Essex County Place, promotes local events and stresses positive news about Newark and surrounding communities. He received a $1,000 cash prize and a $6,000 university scholarship.
All 10 finalists received a $4,000 scholarship to attend Seton Hall. Finalists and their families were invited to a business networking and advice reception with corporate executives and successful entrepreneurs.
