During the 2024 tecBRIDGE High School Business Plan Competition, five of the nine teams that presented in the live presentation round were from the Greater Hazleton Area. In celebration of this accomplishment, we sat down with one of our area’s participants, Mehak Manzoor to learn more about her and her business plan project.

For those who may not know you, tell us who you are, what school you’re representing, and why you’re participating in this year’s competition.

I am Mehak Manzoor from MMI Preparatory. I submitted my business idea to the competition because I'm passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation. I saw it as a fantastic opportunity to showcase my creativity and problem-solving skills while also gaining valuable feedback.

How does it feel to represent the community of Hazleton?

It feels incredible to have the opportunity to represent the community and people of Hazleton. I am so grateful for being able to showcase the talent and potential in this great community.

Can you describe the journey of reaching this point in the competition?

The journey to becoming a finalist has been challenging and exciting. It involved a lot of research, brainstorming, and hard work, but it was extremely rewarding.

What significance does this opportunity hold for you?

Having this great opportunity will help me expand my horizons in many different ways and will greatly help me work towards becoming more successful in the business world in the future.

What advice would you give to fellow students interested in joining the High School Business Plan Competition next year?

My advice to anyone planning to join next year is simple: Never give up. Doing any competition, especially business-related, can be challenging, and setbacks are inevitable, but staying resilient is the key to making your dreams into reality.

For more information about tecBRIDGE’s High School Business Plan Competition, contact Jocelyn Sterenchock at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..