The Virtual Enterprise (VE) business students from Comsewogue High School have achieved an incredible and inspirational milestone, ranking 6th in the entire nation at the National Business Plan Competition. Competing against more than 30,000 students from over 1,500 firms across 550 schools in seven countries, the students from PickleTek demonstrated remarkable business acumen, perseverance, and innovation as they advanced through five rounds of intense competition.
PickleTek, a student-run firm that focuses on innovative AI court development and pickle-ball related products, began their journey at the Long Island regional competition before moving on to the Northeast regionals and ultimately national levels. Their success culminated at the Javits Center in New York City, where they presented their business plan among the Top 40 firms nationwide. PickleTek’s team members – Joy Chen, Brady Pesce, Nicholas Mattheus Villamil, Mueez Kamran, and Hermione Granger – were the ones who presented their business plan to a panel of judges at the national competition. This accomplishment is particularly impressive, as Comsewogue High School was one of only two Long Island schools to make it to the National Top 8.
In addition to PickleTek's impressive achievement, all four of Comsewogue’s VE firms – PickleTek, ReLeaf, DormReform, and ProtectU – advanced to the National Rounds of the competition. The teams had the opportunity to present their business, HR, and Finance plans at the Javits Center in front of judges, peers, and industry professionals, showcasing their entrepreneurial skills on a national stage.
As an added honor, student Sophia Deja earned a bronze medal in the highly competitive Sales Pitch competition, further highlighting the impressive talents of Comsewogue’s VE students.
“The dedication, teamwork, and creativity shown by our VE students throughout this journey have been nothing short of exceptional,” said Virtual Enterprise teacher Anthony Ketterer. “To have all four of our firms reach the National Rounds of Competition is a testament to the hard work of these students and the incredible support they receive from one another. Ranking 6th in the nation is an outstanding accomplishment, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievement.”
With over 30,000 students involved in VE programs globally, the competition is fierce. Students from across the country and abroad enter with business plans designed to solve real-world problems and showcase innovative ideas. The VE program provides students with hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, business management, marketing, and more, helping them develop invaluable skills that will serve them well in their future careers.
As Comsewogue’s VE students celebrate this incredible achievement, they also serve as an inspiration to their peers and the community, proving that hard work, collaboration, and creative thinking can lead to extraordinary success.
About Comsewogue Virtual Enterprise: Comsewogue High School’s Virtual Enterprise program is part of a global network of student-run firms dedicated to providing young people with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the business world. Through hands-on experience, students create and manage real-world businesses, giving them a competitive edge in their future academic and professional pursuits.
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