Knightly News

Episcopal junior Akachi Mere’s big idea recently earned big startup funding through the Young Entrepreneurs Academy of Baton Rouge (YEA BR). After pitching Frost Armor to a panel of judges, Akachi was awarded $4,000 to launch the concept.

Cross Country Heat Inspires Cool Idea

“Frost Armor is a lightweight, flexible cooling strip that can be applied anywhere on the body,” says Akachi. “It provides an instant cooling effect by using cooling materials that provide an endothermic reaction. It was inspired by a week of weather in my cross-country season where it was so hot we couldn’t practice outside. I wrote it down in a small notebook and ended up sticking with it.”

Business and entrepreneurship have always interested Akachi. “Ever since I started watching Shark Tank and began to listen to various entrepreneurs, young and old, pitch their businesses and receive a deal from the Sharks, I knew this was an interest I wanted to pursue. My mother used to tell me at the end of every episode that she’s ‘waiting for my big idea.’”

With the startup funding secured, Akachi’s mother no longer has to wait, and Akachi can continue developing Frost Armor. “I want to experiment with some polymers to act as our cooling agent,” he says. “I also would like to see how adding menthol might enhance the cooling effect, if at all. There are also more technical materials like polyethylene-glycol, glycerin, and aloe vera which may be needed.”

Continuing a Tradition of Entrepreneurship

The Episcopal community has a long history of entrepreneurship, with countless alumni founding and managing successful business endeavors. In addition, Episcopal students have celebrated success through YEA BR. Check out past student success in the blog posts below.

Next Generation of Entrepreneurs Presents at YEA BR

A Love of Reading Inspires Student’s Business Idea

Episcopal Entrepreneurs Earn Seed Funding through YEA BR

Student Entrepreneur Competes Nationally

Continuing the Tradition of Episcopal Entrepreneurship

As for Akachi, the future is bright as he considers studying business with the hopes of becoming a successful large business owner.  He says YEA BR has given him the opportunity to take the first steps toward his goal. “It’s taught me how to think like an entrepreneur, solve real problems, and understand what it takes to build something from the ground up,” he says. “It’s helped me turn my ideas into something meaningful and shown me what kind of mindset and grit it takes to succeed in entrepreneurship.”

Supporting Aspiring Entrepreneurs

The YEA BR mission is to “unlock the potential of young, aspiring entrepreneurs.” The program is a partnership between the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Louisiana Economic Development and LSU. Students interact with experts and members of the LSU E.J. Ourso College of Business to “generate business ideas tied to their interests, write business plans, file their businesses with the Secretary of State’s office and pitch to a Shark Tank-like panel for seed funding.”

You can check out Akachi’s Frost Armor pitch here. Please join us in wishing him well in the comments section below. 

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