PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 25, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ciara Dubeck, an 8th-grader at Our Lady of Cavalry school in Philadelphia, has been named the national SAP Teen Innovator after garnering the most votes in a national competition for her entrepreneurial health and wellness project, the Community Wellness App.
The Social Innovation Series, a five-city national tour presented in partnership between SAP and health and wellness nonprofit GENYOUth, as part of GENYOUth’s social entrepreneurship program, AdVenture Capital (www.AdCapYOUth.org), provides aspiring student entrepreneurs, like Dubeck, the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of business experts in a “shark tank” style competition. Dubeck was the top winner out of more than 200 students from 47 schools across the country.
Dubeck was inspired to improve the health and wellness of her fellow classmates. As a result, she created the Community Wellness App – an app that encourages students to eat healthier and remain physically fit through a system of points and rewards. Students can track their progress with the app and receive awards throughout the year. Dubeck entered and participated in the Social Innovation Series in Philadelphia and won at the national level for her innovative thinking and desire to make a large-scale impact on her community.
“Ciara has risen to the top in our nationwide effort to identify students that display an entrepreneurial spirit, passion for social good, and drive to create change for their schools and communities,” said Jennifer Morgan, president, SAP North America. “We are extremely proud of this amazing young woman and hope she inspires other youth to help solve today’s problems with unique, creative ideas.”
In addition to winning the Teen Innovator title, she will also receive a $10,000 grant to fully develop and implement her project as well as an all-expense paid trip to Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco, where she will be recognized on stage outside the stadium on game day.
"I had the opportunity to see Ciara present her idea at the Social Innovation event in Philadelphia and could not be more thrilled for her,” said Alexis Glick, CEO of GENYOUth. “Creating healthy, high-achieving students and school environments would not be possible without the ideas, passion and energy of our nation’s youth. Ciara’s trip to Super Bowl 50 and to SAP’s office in Palo Alto will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her, and I have no doubt that she’ll learn many invaluable skills that will help her move her project forward in her school.”
Student ideas for AdCap can be viewed online and interested parties can keep up with Ciara’s Super Bowl experiences by following the hashtag #SAPSIS.
About SAP
As market leader in enterprise application software, SAP (NYSE:SAP) helps companies of all sizes and industries run better. From back office to boardroom, warehouse to storefront, desktop to mobile device – SAP empowers people and organizations to work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively to stay ahead of the competition. SAP applications and services enable more than 293,500 customers to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and grow sustainably. For more information, visit www.sap.com.
About AdVenture Capital
Created by GENYOUth and informed by students, AdVenture Capital inspires students to create and make school and community wellness changes through an online social entrepreneurship platform. AdCap officially launched in 2012, rewarding two rounds of winners with grant money and an “experience” with professional mentors in a business setting. In 2013, a partnership was established with SAP Global CSR to create a digital platform that would allow students to design projects, get inspired by past grantees, connect with mentors and apply for funding, all online. AdVenture Capital is where the creative, curious and brave student entrepreneurs gather to inspire and make change that will last for years to come. For more information, visit www.AdCapYOUth.org.
About GENYOUth
A leading nonprofit, GENYOUth brings leaders in health and wellness, education, government and business together in a movement to empower America's youth to achieve a healthier future by uniting partners, raising funds and uplifting the student voice. GENYOUth has established itself as a thought leader in youth health and wellness and collaborates with its partners to convene experts, conduct research, publish perspective reports, and build programs that make a lasting difference in the pursuit of healthy, high-achieving youth. Founded in 2010 through a public-private partnership with the National Dairy Council and the NFL, GENYOUth has raised funds, increased visibility and commitment to school wellness among health and wellness leaders, educators, students, parents, community leaders and businesses. Learn more about GENYOUth partnership, volunteer and donation opportunities at www.genyouthfoundation.org, or contact us at info@genyouthfoundation.org
For more information, press only:
Atle Erlingsson, SAP, 415-519-8053, atle.erlingsson@sap.com, PST
Courtney Dubin, GENYOUth, 917-359-6418, Courtney.dubin@genyouthfoundation.org, EST
