On Thursday evening, April 24, seventeen Advanced Economics students presented five business plans—located at the intersection of entrepreneurship and sustainability—to an esteemed panel of judges from the community at large. Team SeaCH4nge emerged victorious as evidenced by a trio of gold medallions presented to Emma Leahy ’25, Troy Monte ’25, and Luke Plamondon ’25—winners of the 2025 Sabin Entrepreneurial Prize. 

“Berkshire is a special place that continues to put its students first by introducing them to cutting-edge experiences they wouldn't get anywhere else,” says Matthew Cortes ’17, son of Andrew Sabin P’13,’17, GP '21,’22,’24 and one of this year’s judges.

Created with the generous support of the Andrew Sabin Family Foundation, the initiative was established in 2011 and aims to promote the entrepreneurial spirit; stimulate creativity and critical thinking surrounding sustainable living; and reward effective collaboration. It was modeled after a similar program at Yale’s Center for Business and the Environment.

Cortes credits various factors—from Chris Perkins’ phenomenal direction of students to technological advances driving hands-on market research approaches—with impacting the competition’s evolution. This year’s winners, whose SeaCH4nge Livestock Feed is poised to alter the landscape of the agricultural industry while making a positive impact on the environment, attribute their success to diligence, teamwork, plus trial and error.

“Collaborating with two exceptional and talented partners gave me valuable real-world insight into the hard work, commitment, and strategic thinking required to build a successful business,” says Plamondon, nodding to the myriad skills—from problem solving and financial management to marketing and product development—gleaned along the way. Still, the key to their success was networking. “Engaging with Floridian ranchers, researchers, scientists, government officials, and local workers…proved human interaction and connection is the key to thriving in the modern world.”

Leahy was surprised by how much effort and attention to detail it takes to succeed. “I expected hard work, but I didn’t fully anticipate the countless hours making revisions and late nights refining our business plan—plus extra practice sessions and last-minute adjustments—necessary to reach our full potential,” she shares. Rather than let anxiety derail her, Leahy channeled it into energy and presence, cultivating a mindset of perseverance, dedication, and pushing beyond expectations. “It’s an invaluable skill not just for presentations, but for any high-stakes moment that calls for performance under pressure,” she emphasizes.

“Overcoming the numerous challenges we faced required a shared commitment to finding solutions," says Monty of setbacks that could have diminished the team’s motivation; instead, “they only fueled our determination to create a strong product and build a robust company,” he adds, underscoring a key takeaway from the experience: The importance of adhering to a well-thought-out strategy and executing it with discipline. “Success doesn't happen by accident—it demands planning, focus, and consistent alignment with your goals throughout the process.”

Given he was once in their shoes, Cortes equates preparing to compete for the Sabin Entrepreneurial Prize with preparing students not just for school, but for life. “It teaches youth valuable skills about the impact of their ideas and how acting on them is one small step toward creating a healthier and more sustainable environment for our future.”