From dance flyers to startup founder: Teen wins $10K investment

Akshara Abbadi, a student in St. Petersburg, secured a 10,000 dollar investment last week after winning a pitch competition at spARK Labs. Her business, LUMIVO, provides a platform for students to locate scholarships, internships, and fellowships while managing application timelines through a personalized survey system.

The victory marks the conclusion of an eight-week accelerator program hosted by the Harrington Foundation in collaboration with Lemonade Standers. This program, led by former Boeing executives Julie Bennett and Emily French, focuses on practical experience over classroom theory. Participants began the summer with the task of earning 100 dollars on their own, a move designed to encourage independent initiative and real-world testing of ideas.

Throughout the duration of the course, participants engaged in customer interviews, prototype development, and website creation. Abbadi, who began the summer without a business concept, moved through the curriculum to develop the winning platform. She noted that the process of marketing her own dance lessons to earn initial capital taught her the value of taking action and reaching out to potential clients.

Wendy LaTorre, Executive Director of the Harrington Foundation, facilitated the program by connecting students with industry mentors. These mentors provided feedback on business models and pitch strategies. The final competition featured a panel of judges including investor Kevin Harrington and representatives from major firms. While Abbadi took home the investment, instructors Bennett and French emphasized that the true program goal centers on building confidence through direct action and overcoming new challenges.

The accelerator participants completed over 260 business actions, including the launch of five websites and two mobile applications. This outcome demonstrates how a structured approach to hands-on problem solving prepares young entrepreneurs to manage professional demands and execute complex business strategies.