A Â鶹´«Ã½ Community College student is the $25,000 grand prize winner of a local business plan competition.
Amanda Gilroy, the entrepreneur behind Mermaid Mushrooms and a natural science student at the Â鶹´«Ã½ CC–P¨¡lamanui campus in Kona, was named the winner of the HIplan Â鶹´«Ã½ Island Business Plan Competition on October 24.
“I still can¡¯t believe it,” Gilroy said after her win.
Gilroy also won the student category and a one-year tuition scholarship. She will use her winnings to support her plan to grow gourmet mushrooms for local consumption.
“I¡¯m thrilled to get this boost,” she said.
The HIplan competition began in 2016 and was held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The competition was conducted in three rounds, beginning with the submission of a business plan. Contestants with the top 15 plans advanced to the second round, which involved a seven-minute live presentation before judges. Eight competitors moved onto the final round.
Â鶹´«Ã½ CC students participate each year, and the student winner is awarded a tuition scholarship. Gilroy is the first student to make it past round one.
¡°Our winner clearly is helping to meet a need on our island that would transform the way that we consume, how we relate to our food, on island,¡± said Meli James, one of the judges. “I think that was pretty outstanding.”
HIplan 2020 finals judges were Leanne Okamoto, Kamehameha Schools; Meli James, Mana Up; Steve Sakoman, Sakoman Inc.; Ashley McShane, Blue Startups; and Pam Chasuta Anukoolthamachote, Elemental Excelerator.
“The process is really what¡¯s special,” said HIplan organizer Jim Wyban. “They learn how to organize their thoughts into a coherent business plan, with a lot of feedback from us. Then, in practice sessions, they learn how to communicate clearly. I¡¯ve seen people who have gone from barely able to talk about their business, to get up here and give a two-minute pitch that just knocks your socks off.”
The HIplan competition is sponsored by Kamehameha Schools, the Edmund C. Olson Trust II, Â鶹´«Ã½ CC, Ulupono Initiative and the County of Â鶹´«Ã½.