Case Accelerator for Student Entrepreneurship

Distinction in Student Entrepreneurship

In a world of accelerating change, everyone benefits from the entrepreneurial mindset. Whether you go on to work in government, for a nonprofit, as an intrapreneur within a larger corporation, or start your own business, you’ll need to invent new paths forward. CASE helps students develop this entrepreneurial mindset and supports them as they take on challenges in the wider world to develop innovative solutions for their community.

The Distinction in Student Entrepreneurship who launch a venture, whether for-profit or non-profit. Success is measured by the triple bottom line, or the three Ps of People, Planet, and Profit How do you help your community? What are your sustainable goals? If you make a profit, what will you support with your profits?

Students in the Student Entrepreneurship Distinction program pursue a multi-year journey to prototype, iterate, launch, and grow their ventures. Upon completion of the Distinction requirements, student candidates exhibit their learning in a portfolio presentation that is reviewed by a panel of centers leaders and faculty.

What is a Centers Distinction?

Learn more here.

What makes a Distinction different from an Award?

Number of recipients is based on the students who can attain the level or rigor. There is no limit.
Multi-year process
You decide whether it will be earned. You are in the driver’s seat.
You work with the Centers on this pathway for learning
Connects and includes various disciplines and activities around the mission of the different Centers

Why pursue a Distinction?

Get “credit” for all you do outside the classroom
Follow an area of personal passion
Receive high level mentorship from Center Directors
Give college a quick and easy way to know you
Utilize all the resources from the Centers

Process

Additional Information

This distinction (unlike others) can be started as late as second semester Junior Year, for students who have been working on a venture independently.
Students who require support more than once per semester must join the Project Accelerator program.
Distinction candidates will work in a Google Sites portfolio created by the Center Director (distinction candidates should request one via email if they haven’t been issued one).
Ventures must incorporate and reflect the triple bottom line (three Ps of People, Planet, Profit).
Ventures can be nonprofit or for-profit.
Learn about some students who achieved CASE distinctions in student entrepreneurship and click through to view their portfolios on Google Sites.

Benefits

Earn our Center’s highest award
Document your sustained commitment to rigorous study to include with University applications
Prepare yourself for strong programs at the university level
Make positive contributions to the community while at Punahou
Challenge yourself to achieve at the highest level in areas you are passionate about
Work with a mentor(s) who are dedicated to helping your personal journey be meaningful

Past Recipients

List of 4 items.

2024 – 2025

Jordan Quan
Hailey Oh
Timothy Kim
Connor Straube
Ashley Jisue Hong
Anna Sophia Dao
2023 – 2024

Sean Jung
Ava Pakravan
Avery Mapes
Keira Henriques
2022 – 2023

Mahina Hardin
Taylor Yuen
Davina Li
Kyra Lung
Ella Williams
Alvin Lam
Ashley Murakami
2021 – 2022

Lauren De Los Reyes
Ava Marie Alvarez
Naia Driscoll
Sascha Pakravan
Ryden Iwamoto
Alyssa Alvarez
Rustin Katsura
Chev Kodama
Aerin Cheung