RANDOLPH, Vt. — June 11, 2025— The Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) is proud to announce the winners of its 2025 Student Innovation Challenges, a series of statewide competitions that empowered high school students to showcase their creativity and entrepreneurial thinking — all while staying grounded in this year’s unifying theme: “Community First.”Designed to encourage students to think about how business and innovation can strengthen local communities, the competitions included four unique challenges: the Darn Tough Challenge, the Bumper Sticker Design Challenge, the Video Pitch Challenge, and the Business Ideation Challenge. Students from across Vermont were invited to participate, submitting projects that demonstrated originality, purpose, and a clear connection to the theme.
“This year’s theme, Community First, asked students to think beyond profits and products to focus on the people and places that make Vermont special,” said Tamie-Jo Dickinson, Specialty Advisor/Student Entrepreneurship of VtSBDC. “The submissions we received reflect a remarkable blend of creativity, empathy, and forward-thinking that gives us great hope for the future of small business and community leadership in our state.”
Challenge Overviews and Winning Focus Areas:
Darn Tough Challenge: Inspired by Vermont’s iconic sock company, students developed sock designs that embodied values like resilience, craftsmanship, and community care. First Place Winner is Anna Luther from Burlington Technical Center in Burlington.
This was the first year collaborating with a local business, and it was a great success. Darn Tough judged the entries and donated socks to all who participated!
Bumper Sticker Design Challenge: Students created bold, eye-catching designs that celebrated entrepreneurship and conveyed messages centered around local pride and small business support. First Place Winner is Lily Root from Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center in Middlebury.
Video Pitch Challenge: Students submitted dynamic video entries that showcased entrepreneurial spirit within their schools—either by highlighting student-led initiatives or featuring the impact of local businesses in their communities. First Place Winners are Francois Menard and Benjamin Fina from CVU High School in Hinesburg.
Business Ideation Challenge: Participants tackled real-world problems by brainstorming business solutions that could positively impact their towns, schools, or regional industries. First Place Winners are Caden Johnston and Connor Tilton from Missisquoi Valley Union High School in Swanton.
Winners were selected in each category based on creativity, relevance to the theme, and clarity of their concept. Entries were submitted from high schools across the state, representing a wide range of perspectives and regional insights.
“These student-focused challenges are part of VtSBDC’s broader mission to support entrepreneurial education and youth engagement across Vermont,” said Linda Rossi, State Director. “By encouraging students to explore how business can be a force for good, VtSBDC is helping to plant the seeds for a future where innovation and community go hand in hand.”
To learn more about VtSBDC’s youth entrepreneurship programs and how your school can participate in future events, visit Secondary School Resources – Vermont Small Business Development Center.