The Global Enterprise Challenge winning team (l to r): mentor Chris Paulsen, automotive restoration instructor; Steve Butcher, sophomore, Atlantic, Iowa; Nate Coppernoll, freshman, Stillman Valley, Ill.; Tori Carder, sophomore, Eudora, Kan.; Ryan Stauffer senior, Milford, Neb.; Melisa Grandison (not pictured), senior, Quinter, Kan.; and Michael Schneider, McPherson College President.

In just 10 days, six teams of five students from McPherson College were challenged to come up with a plan for a self-sustaining social venture in Haiti. 

The winning idea of “Beyond Isles” is to create a community market that would incorporate a physical venue for agricultural and clothing products on the ground in Haiti, a global market through Internet channels, and an educational component for Haitians to continue to develop their skills.

The members of the winning team will each receive a $1,000 scholarship, the opportunity to refine their idea, and travel to Haiti’s Tortuga Island to make it into a reality.

The Global Enterprise Challenge was part of Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Founded in 2008 by the Kauffman Foundation and Enterprise UK, this year’s Global Entrepreneurship Week boasts more than 57,000 events with more than 10 million worldwide participants. Global Entrepreneurship Week USA selected McPherson College’s Global Enterprise Challenge as one of 10 featured events.

Read more about the challenge and follow the team as they prepare to go to Haiti at blogs.mcpherson.edu/entrepreneurship

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