Skip to content

Announcing the Winners of the Fox Trap Pitch Event

Student entrepreneurs propose business ideas to panel of judges

Four FVTC students and aspiring entrepreneurs have some extra cash in the bank after competing in the 7th annual Fox Trap Pitch Event, held at Fox Valley Technical College on Thursday, April 4.

Organized by the FVTC Business division with support from American National Bank, Kwik Trip and the Fox Valley Technical College Foundation, competitors were given three minutes to pitch their big idea before a panel of judges for a chance at cash prizes and the ability to advance to a regional competition.

The winners:

First Place: Jakob Monroe ($250)
Pitch: Gordo Vintage is a second-hand clothing store designed to reduce waste from fast fashion and curate a trendy and nostalgic collection.

Second Place: Paige Laurent ($150)
Pitch: Paige’s Creations is an interactive art studio with instructors teaching participants how to create projects like paintings, tote bags, planters and more.

Third Place: Nic Hansen & Abel Teran ($100)
Pitch: Jumpstart is an interactive alarm clock system that also incorporates a built-in app for daily needs like weather and traffic updates.

Judges included Griffin Jack from American National Bank Fox Cities, Kara Manuel from Lillian’s of Appleton, and Emily Heiges from Copper Rock Coffee.

The top two finishers will compete for $1000 at the NEW Ideas Pitch Challenge Event held at Lakeshore Technical College on April 25. This event brings together participants from seven area technical colleges.

Related Articles

Read more
Thursday | July 9, 2026

New Transfer Pathway to a Business Degree

Students at Fox Valley Technical College who are thinking about a career in business now have another clear path to a bachelor’s degree without having to leave Northeast Wisconsin. FVTC has partnered with St. Norbert College to create a transfer agreement that makes it easier for students to continue their education in business administration and

Read more
Tuesday | July 7, 2026

Focus on Careers: Legal Studies/Paralegal & Digital Court Reporter

Careers in legal studies and court reporting continue to grow across a wide range of industries that extend far beyond the traditional law firm. From corporate compliance and human resources to courtrooms and government offices, these roles are critical in supporting how the legal system and businesses operate every day. In a recent Focus on

Nadege Jolivard stands against a glass wall, wearing a cap and gown over a bright blue top. Read more
Tuesday | May 12, 2026

A “Master Key” to New Beginnings: Nadege Jolivard’s FVTC Journey

As Nadege Jolivard prepares to cross the graduation stage this month, she reflects on how Fox Valley Technical College has been a fresh start — in more ways than one. Originally from Haiti, Nadege was at the top of her game. She graduated from secretarial school and received a bachelor’s degree in business. She had