From ideas to MVPs: WPHS students pitch products, services in incubator competition

White Plains High School briefly turned into a mini “Shark Tank” on Wednesday as seven teams of juniors and seniors competing in the INCubatoredu took the stage to present their early-stage business plans to a panel of seasoned advisers.

Hosted by teacher Jesse Drury, the event was a chance for the fledgling entrepreneurs to pressure-test their ventures and gauge preliminary investor interest before the high-stakes Final Pitch in June.

The Tigers presented prototypes and shared market research, then fielded probing questions designed to help sharpen their products and presentations for the program, which was developed and is supported by the nonprofit Uncharted Learning.

“This is the midyear pitch, also known as the MVP pitch — the minimum viable product,” Mr. Drury told the room as he laid out the format for the presentations before the panel, whose members were:

• WPHS alum Michael Berlingo, founder and CEO of Starteryou, which connects high school and college students with employers.
• Mario Mirabella, founder and CEO of MSM Digital and a member of the Forbes Agency Council.
• Dr. Martial Pabon, co-founder and CEO of Clear Path Materials and a global executive in product stewardship and compliance.
• Todd Ilberg, a senior customer success manager at Adobe.
• Ina Pascal, a veteran business educator in the WPCSD.

The first team, the WiFi Wizards, aim to solve the problem of dead zones with a WiFi extender designed to improve range and streamline setup through an app backed by top-notch customer support.

The group floated a slogan — “Seamless Connectivity Everywhere” — and said it envisioned serving customers across age groups since WiFi has become universal.

One student said the group wanted to solve the problems of difficult setup, inconsistent speed, weak coverage and ballooning prices. Another teammate said the prototype was already being tested in a home.

The judges, however, quickly zeroed in on differentiation with established products — a theme that would echo across several presentations. Mr. Mirabella praised the students’ work and delivery, but asked the basic question.

“How are you different? I didn’t see anything that separates you from the major brands out there already selling these extenders,” he said, adding that customer service alone might not convince shoppers scanning a shelf.

Mr. Berlingo asked the team to think about its sales model: direct-to-consumer e-commerce vs. retail or wholesale.  

The second team, Auto Essentials, pitched a DIY maintenance kit to make oil change faster, easier and more affordable for everyday drivers, especially those who typically rely on mechanics.

The team said drivers are often “uneducated” about simple car care and can be vulnerable to high costs, long waits and upselling for routine services. Their kit, they said, would include all the necessary tools and instructional content.

While the judges saw promise, they also immediately flagged practical hurdles, including the matter of liability.

“You have to make sure that you protect yourself against someone who does the job of a mechanic,” Dr. Pabon said. “You have to have a good protection or waiver or anything to protect yourself.”

He also challenged the team’s plan to include oil, noting that shipping and sourcing oil could add unnecessary complexity when customers can buy it locally.

Mr. Ilberg echoed those points, encouraging the students to build strong instructional support and also to confront the value proposition head-on. If a service shop charges roughly the same amount as the kit costs, why would customers choose messy DIY work over a garage.

One student argued that the kit could help in emergencies and could empower drivers with skills and confidence.

The third team, CashCampus, offered a digital concept aimed at student motivation with an app that tracks study time and rewards users with money.

One student said the idea was meant to relieve financial pressure and stress, using incentives to nudge students into more consistent study habits.

The students described a market landscape that includes study and focus apps, arguing that their approach would keep data private while providing more flexible, direct rewards than gift cards.

The judges asked about development costs and the core business model, particularly where the payout money would come from and how the economics would work beyond early-stage funding.

The next group, DefenseX, presented its Buzz Block Band, a reusable mosquito repellent wristband designed to repel the pesky insects through a multi-layer essential oil mixture.

One student said the goal was to serve hikers, campers, parents and people sensitive to traditional repellents.

Another student emphasized that while many repellents rely on a limited ingredient set, their product would feature Nootkatone, which they described as a newer biopesticide.

“Our competitors rely on one or two main ingredients which limits their effectiveness,” one student said. “One of those ingredients is DEET. Now, we all know that DEET is pretty toxic and it smells horrible. It can cause skin irritation, burning, headaches and nausea. It’s also harmful to the aquatic environment.”

Dr. Pabon praised the presentation and suggested the team lean into sustainability and user experience. If customers could refill or “re-impregnate” the band instead of buying new plastic repeatedly, the product would better fit the values of outdoor consumers, he said.

A student said the team had already considered that and planned to sell refill oils separately so the wristband could be reused.

The Ottomatic Hairgrowth group pitched a hair oil blend combining natural and chemically active ingredients to promote growth, reduce breakage and combat thinning. The team plans to test it personally, then expand into influencer partnerships on TikTok and Instagram.

Mr. Mirabella noted the category’s biggest challenge: saturation. In an online marketplace crowded with oils, serums and supplements, he encouraged the students to do deeper competitor research and articulate how the product stands out.

The most tangible prototype of the day came from Flow Bag, a period-product organizer designed for discretion, hygiene and ease of use. The team devised a practical means of organizing supplies and avoiding the hassles of retrieving items in a bathroom stall.

“Products like tampons and pads could easily get ruined, making them unhygienic,” one student told the panel about randomly shoving the items into a large bag.

Another student said the group designed and sewed their bag themselves, using a waterproof material and building toward a structured interior with size-specific sections for the feminine products, plus space sized to fit a phone and wallet.

The team laid out a four-month roadmap from user testing to an online launch and partnerships with schools and sports clubs.  

Ms. Pascal praised the concept and also expressed her surprise about the idea.

“It’s mind-boggling to me that it doesn’t exist already,” she said. “What I actually like is the fact that it doesn’t come with the stuff already in it because there’s so many different products and women use so many different sizes.”

Later, seniors Neela Older and Amanda Ramos reflected on how quickly the team evolved.

“We’ve been working on the project since the beginning of the school year,” Neela said. “But I think that two months in, we had an entirely different product. We pivoted around November to this idea.”

Amanda said she, Neela and teammates Kelly Tirado and Layla Hanball, both juniors, were energized and optimistic about Flow Bag’s chances heading toward a June final in the competition.

And finally, the intrepid Pee Purge team pitched a cleaner designed to remove pet urine stains and deter repeat accidents.

The students said their formula uses enzymes and other industry-standard components to break down urine compounds and remove stains, then adds d-limonene, a naturally occurring hydrocarbon with a pleasant citrus scent, which pets are not fond of.

Dr. Pabon asked whether the product had been tested beyond one scenario and urged broader testing across surfaces — carpets, sofas and other materials — to ensure it cleans without discoloration or creating stains of its own.

A student said the team had tested the product at home with a dog and saw positive results so far.

By June, each team will return with a more polished product, tighter pitch and clearer plan.

And for one team, the journey may continue at a national stage in Chicago, with cash prizes and the possibility of investor connections — the kind of opportunity that can turn a classroom MVP into a real-world launch.

The teams, members and grades:

DefenseX

Justin Milianta 12

Max Barrera 12

Rafael Ramirez 12

Russell Miller 12

WIFi Wizards

Luca Varrelmann 12

Emmanuel Ocampo 12

Patrick Dooley 12

J'lyia Primo 12

Pee Purge

Jonah Glazman 11

Logan Cardona 11

Matt Perretto 11

Sebastion Baylock 11

Ottomatic Hairgrowth

Otto Armstrong 12

Christian Boateng 12

Juan Becerril 12

Ricardo Marcano 12

Auto Essentials

Jahir Cortes 12

Chris Gamero 12

Gustavo Villamares 12

Jorge Altamarino 12 

Flow Bag

Neela Older 12

Layla Hanball 11

Amanda Ramos 12

Kelly Tirado 11

Cashcampus

Natalie Balin 12

Daniel Salas 11

Aden Hadl 12

Mauricio Calderon 11