Winners of “Shark Tank”-Style Competition at The Academy Tutorial Revealed
BRENTWOOD, TENN. – The Patton Foundation founded by Tennessee-based entrepreneur Spencer Patton is announcing the winners of its Patton Entrepreneurship Grant (PEG) Challenge for high school-aged students at The Academy Tutorial, a college preparatory program in Nashville.
Six finalists were named as part of the “Shark Tank”-style competition, which seeks to empower students in their entrepreneurial journeys. Those finalists were Kate Bachman, Kylie Bachman, Justice Frohock, Kaylee Howe, Trevor Johnson and Moriah Plattner.
In the end, Kylie Bachman won First Place, walking away with a $5,000 grant for MyTemp Stick, a coffee stirrer employing color-changing technology to indicate to the drinker when their coffee reaches the ideal or safe, drinkable temperature.
Frohock was named Second Place ($2,500 grant) for Jomo (Joy Of Missing Out), a unique cafe and mentorship membership program created to motivate young individuals to disconnect from their phones, step into a tech-free environment and partake in in-person events.
Plattner was named Third Place ($1,000 grant) for Single Bites, which aims to offer smaller portions of groceries and perishable items by leasing space within supermarkets, catering to students, individuals living alone or those with limited storage space at home.
The PEG Challenge was open to students in grades 9 through 12 at The Academy Tutorial, which supports homeschooling parents by offering classes for students in grades 7 through 12 as they prepare to do college-level work.
The challenge kicked off with a PEG Keynote from Patton in February. Participating students then completed a 10-lesson virtual PEG Workshop featuring insights from fellow entrepreneurs before competition day on March 26, 2024. Each participant was given 10 minutes to pitch their business idea, followed by five minutes of Q&A with a panel of judges.
“Seeing the incredible creativity and drive these young entrepreneurs brought to the table confirms my belief in the power of mentorship and opportunity,” said Spencer Patton. “The success of the PEG Challenge isn’t just about the grants; it’s about inspiring participants to chase their dreams and shape their own futures. We can’t wait to see what comes of these students’ exciting ideas.”
Patton is the founder of multiple companies in the logistics space, including Patton Logistics, Route Consultant and Hello Truck Lease. In under 10 years, he built his business from $0 to greater than $100 million. Through the Patton Foundation, he has provided thousands of dollars in grants to Tennessee students.
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) will host the Patton Foundation’s next PEG Challenge on April 22 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Miller Education Center on campus. More PEG Challenges are expected to be announced at high schools and universities throughout the state. To submit an interest form or learn more about The Patton Foundation and upcoming PEG Challenges, visit spencerpattonfoundation.org.
About The Patton Foundation
The Patton Foundation serves as a dynamic springboard for aspiring entrepreneurs who are eager to propel their ideas to new heights. Functioning as a catalyst for growth, the Foundation provides invaluable support and resources to these budding visionaries. From offering financial assistance via grants to facilitating coaching and mentorship programs, the Patton Foundation stands as a steadfast pillar of guidance and empowerment.
