GLENDALE, Ariz.–Credit Union West partnered with Glendale Community College to sponsor the 2023 Innovation Challenge for the fourth year in a row.
The Innovation Challenge gives GCC students an opportunity to pitch their ideas for a business that solves a problem or makes a difference in their community. The credit union awarded a total of $5,000 to the top three winners to help launch their businesses.
Five finalists were chosen by faculty at GCC to present their ideas to a panel of judges comprised of GCC faculty and local business leaders, including Credit Union West’s SVP/COO, Ning Duong.
“I loved being part of the judging panel for the Innovation Challenge,” Duong said. “At Credit Union West, we believe in the power of the youth, and we see them as the future leaders of our community. It’s an honor to sponsor this event and help these students reach their goals.”
In addition to sponsoring the event, Credit Unio West said it provided a Financial Education Workshop to the participating students which focused on budgeting, the importance of credit, and how to make saving money a habit. The credit union is proud of its work in teaching financial literacy to the youth in the communities they serve.
The 2023 Glendale Community College Innovation Challenge winners are:
- Laura Morales, the first-place winner, received $2,500
- Daniel Hulse, the second-place winner, received $1,500
- Edwin Leon, the third-place winner, received $1,000