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The Hive 2023 event, which took place April 12th at Montana State University - Billings, was a resounding success! Valley Credit Union, the event's organizer, put on the 2nd Annual Hive to support high school students with entrepreneurial aspirations. The event featured eight high school entrepreneurs pitching their business plans to a panel of local businesspeople, with a total of $8,000 in cash prizes and mentorship opportunities from Rock31, Billings Chamber of Commerce, and AD Creative Group available to the winner.

The event drew an enthusiastic audience, including parents, teachers, and local community members. It showcased the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity of high school students in Billings, providing them with a platform to present their ideas and secure funding. The support and encouragement from the audience played a significant role in making the event a success.

The People's Choice Award, which was voted on by the audience through their phones, went to Stick Buddy, earning the students $500 in cash. Two students from the Career Center invented a tool in their welding class and are looking to get a patent on it. TEDxBillings was the presenting sponsor of this award!

Big Sky Junk Pick Up won third place and $1,000 in cash, compliments of the Northern Hotel, Billings Montana. The business provides a service that comes to you and hauls your stuff to the landfill. The second-place winner was #youmatter, which earned a $1,500 cash prize, also compliments of the Northern Hotel. The business sells bracelets to raise awareness of suicide prevention.

Drumroll, please - the first-place winner of The Hive 2023 was Holiday Help, which won $5,000 in cash, compliments of Valley Credit Union. The business offers holiday decorating services to homes and businesses, and also offers to store decorations after they are taken down. This cash prize and mentorship opportunities provided by the event will undoubtedly help these young entrepreneurs achieve their goals and realize their dreams.

Valley Credit Union has been putting on The Hive event for the past two years to support high school students with entrepreneurial aspirations. This year's event was held at Montana State University Billings and was made possible through the support of sponsors such as the Northern Hotel, Billings Chamber of Commerce, Canvas Creek, AD Creative, Billings Public Schools, MSU Billings, Rock31, TEDxBillings, and Art House Billings.

In conclusion, The Hive 2023 was a fantastic event that provided a platform for high school students in Billings to showcase their entrepreneurial spirit and creativity. The cash prizes and mentorship opportunities provided by the event will undoubtedly help these young entrepreneurs achieve their goals and realize their dreams. We wish them all the best on their journey to becoming their own bosses!