San Clemente High School Students Win Teen Entrepreneur Academy Business Plan Competition

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Jul 25, 2013) - Concluding the 2^nd annual Teen Entrepreneur Academy (TEA) hosted by Concordia University in Irvine, Calif., Rafi Caro and Michael Karahalios -- juniors at San Clemente High School -- were awarded a $1,000 business plan competition grand prize for their innovative concept and entrepreneurial drive.

From Sunday, July 14 to Friday, July 19, Concordia University's Teen Entrepreneur Academy played host to 80 business-minded students from around the world, to guide them in the basics of cultivating and developing their own small businesses. The students -- from dozens of local high schools including Santa Ana Valley, Century, Northwood, Santa Margarita, Tustin, Tesoro, Orange County School of the Arts, Olive Crest NOVA Academy, San Juan Hills, Corona del Mar, Mission Viejo and many more -- spent six days living and working on campus and venturing out on field trips to visit local companies. The student entrepreneurs received insights from notable speakers and local business owners including Myron Weber, founder of Northwood Advisors, Phillip Chang, founder of Yogurtland, Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo's Fish Taco, and Brian Smith, founder of UGG Australia. At the end of the week of classes, presentations and outings, the inspired students presented plans for their future enterprises in a "Fish Bowl" Business Plan Competition.

This year's winning concept from Caro and Karahalios, still in an incubator stage, is an app for infatuated young fans looking to connect online with their favorite up-and-coming artists or entertainers. The app, which targets girls between the ages of 9 and 16 years old, will give fans access to bidding on and purchasing memorabilia, social media follows and activities with any beloved artist with whom they hope to interact.

TEA is dedicated to improving young people's lives through entrepreneurial education, inspiring them to succeed in school and take charge of their futures. High school students who engage in entrepreneurship training start and maintain businesses at substantially higher rates than their peers. They also express increased interest in attending college, greater occupational aspirations and improved scores in independent reading. For more information, please visit www.cui.edu/tea or contact Stephen Christensen at Stephen.Christensen@cui.edu.

ABOUT TEEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP ACADEMY: TEA is an experiential business education program that includes planning, goals-setting, budgeting, managing deadlines, and providing instant feedback. Students experience a low-risk way to launch a business. Successful entrepreneurs and business faculty teach and mentor students with step-by-step advice. TEA trains and equips the next generation of entrepreneurs, young men and women of character and integrity who bring a values-based approach to their businesses. www.cui.edu/tea.

ABOUT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY IRVINE: Concordia University Irvine (CUI) is a U.S. News Top Tier Regional University that prepares students for their vocations -- their calling in life. CUI offers undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree programs in a beautiful Southern California location, with online and regional cohort options. A member of the Concordia University system of The Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod and guided by the Great Commission of Christ Jesus and the Lutheran Confessions, Concordia University Irvine empowers students through the liberal arts and professional studies for lives of learning, service and leadership. www.cui.edu.