The John Cooper School Sophomore Student Develops Winning Business Proposal Recognized in Rice Business Plan Semifinals

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Among crowds of college-age students, Krishna Venugopal, 10th Grader at The John Cooper School, teamed up with a Rice EMBA student to present a proposal during this year’s Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC). He presented his startup before a panel of judges from various industries, as well as Rice graduates.

“I am deeply honored and overwhelmed at the decision of the judges. This has been an incredible experience and journey. It started as a personal struggle with nutrition as a young boy, weighing just over 40 pounds, facing a life-threatening illness. I am now using what I’ve learned to change the world and help others who may be struggling with access and resources to the same nutritional and medical care,” said Venugopal.

Venugopal’s business is called “FOGO, Food is Good.” He says it’s a positive habit inducing application that revolutionizes the way in which individuals think and make decisions about everyday food choices. It personalizes nutritional awareness, using descriptive and predictive analytics.

Cooper’s History and Social Sciences Department Chair and Teacher, Donielle Albrecht, guides students in the classroom to help unlock their potential through business development concepts, competitions, and other entrepreneurial ventures.

“It’s rewarding when we see our students out in the world thriving. From current students to alumni, it is a reminder to me, daily, why we do this work. It’s the students. I love seeing them develop an idea, work with their peers, seek advice and guidance from inside and outside the classroom. The experience is central to our mission and informs our school motto from ‘Curiosity to Wisdom’ in every sense of the phrase,” said Albrecht.

Venugopal is no stranger to developing winning ideas and successful ventures. Just last year he received the Congressional Youth Award (CYA) from Congressman Brady, in recognition of his voluntary public service to the medical community. He used his knowledge of 3D printing and a concept called “Ear Savers” to alleviate pressure and irritation caused by bands on face masks. He donated the bands to medical professionals in The Woodlands. In this article he says the experience has been uplifting and satisfying.

Researchers estimate Venugopal needs about $70,000 to fund his FoGo business plan. To learn more about Venugopal’s business FoGo, visit his website.

The John Cooper School is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory day school. The school’s mission is to provide a challenging education in a caring environment to a diverse group of select students, enabling them to become critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators, responsible citizens and leaders, and lifetime learners.