What started as a simple classroom brainstorm turned into a winning business idea for a group of Buffalo Grove High School students.
That idea, AuraLink, is a magnetic clasp designed to make necklaces easier to put on and remove. It earned top honors at High School District 214’s annual Startup Showcase, the culminating event of the District’s Entrepreneurship Program.
Offered at all six comprehensive high schools, the program gives students hands-on experience developing and pitching business ideas while working alongside teachers and local industry professionals.
At the showcase, teams presented their ventures to a panel of judges for the chance to win $3,000 in startup funding, made possible by the District 214 Education Foundation.
This year’s top prize went to AuraLink, a team made up of Hailey Gordon, Lexi Josephson, Ruby Pompilio and Yan Yushkevich.
“Our idea for AuraLink started at the very beginning of the year when we were randomly assigned into groups and asked to brainstorm problems people face,” said Gordon. “At first, we wanted our business to be a jewelry company, but since that market is so broad, we shifted our focus to a jewelry accessory brand that solves a common problem for people who struggle to put on their jewelry.”
The team initially planned to produce the product using brass, but later transitioned to 3D printing to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Even then, they encountered setbacks with durability, leading to multiple rounds of refinement.
“Winning this showcase means so much to us because it shows that hard work and dedication truly pay off,” Gordon said. “Even when we felt stuck and unsure of our progress, we kept pushing forward and never gave up.”
“I am incredibly proud of AuraLink,” said Amy Zaba, business and computer science teacher at Buffalo Grove High School. “The time and dedication invested in building this business extended far beyond the classroom. Each team member contributed their unique strengths, collaborating effectively to create a strong foundation.”
The team credited their success to the support of their teacher, Amy Zaba, along with mentors who guided them throughout the process.
Experiences like Startup Showcase give students the opportunity to think through real challenges, work as a team and build something from the ground up.
AuraLink plans to continue developing the product, with goals of launching a website, pursuing a patent and competing at the national level.