On Tuesday, Harvard Walmart’s store manager Grant Sjoberg and health and beauty department manager Beth Perez visited Harvard High School to announce the award of a $2000 grant to the business INCubatoredu program.

INCubatoredu instructor Erin Harris applied for the Walmart Community Grant in late December with the assistance of Sjoberg.

“A portion of the grant money from Walmart will be used by students to purchase materials needed to create product prototypes,” Harris said. “The prototypes will be unveiled to our INCubatoredu board of directors during minimum viable product pitches scheduled for March 1.”

Awarded grants range from $250 to $5,000. Harris was thrilled for her class to be selected. “The grant offsets any financial burden our young entrepreneurs may face while creating their products and allows the students to be creative with different materials and concepts. Many of the materials the students need to create their prototypes can be purchased at the local store or through www.walmart.com,” Harris said.  “Harvard High School appreciates the financial support of the Walmart corporation and the continued support from Grant Sjoberg, Beth Perez, and their staff.”

INCubatoredu offers students an entrepreneurship experience and empowers them to develop business plans with the guidance of local business leaders. Under the direction of Harris, the curriculum teaches students the lean startup business model.