“We were trusted. Trusted with a chance to be heard.” -Hubert Stasik, PNHS ’25
Three Plainfield North High School 2025 graduates are earning national recognition for their entrepreneurial innovation.
Nicholas Powell, Hubert Stasik and Tharun Veeraiah collectively known as Team Expiri, have been named quarterfinalists in the prestigious INCubatoredu National Pitch Competition, rising to the top 30 out of 60 student startup teams from across the country.
As part of District 202’s INCubator entrepreneurship program, the trio developed Expiri, a mobile app that tracks food expiration dates.
“When we started with the idea for Expiri, we wanted to solve a real-world problem that impacts people every day — food waste,” Veeraiah said. “Making it to the quarterfinals in the INCubatoredu National Pitch proves that innovation can start anywhere, even in a high school classroom.”
Designed to help reduce food waste and save money, the app notifies users when food items are nearing expiration through barcode scanning. The app sends timely alerts before items spoil, suggests recipes based on available ingredients, and offers donation options for unused food all within one easy-to-use platform. Expiri will be available soon on both Google and Apple platforms.
“We created Expiri because food waste is a massive global issue that affects our environment, economy, and society,” Stasik said. “Our goal is to help everyday people take control of their food, make smarter decisions, and reduce their overall environmental footprint.”
Their hard work and innovative thinking have led to an invitation to host a booth at the INCubatoredu National Pitch event on July 10 in Chicago.
This unique opportunity provides Team Expiri a valuable platform to promote their app and engage investors.
“I’m thrilled and honored to be invited to the National Summit — it’s an exciting opportunity to showcase our hard work,” Powell said.
The event, expected to attract around 250 attendees including entrepreneurs, educators, and potential investors, offers teams a chance to present their businesses, network with industry professionals, and pitch their ideas on a national level.
While Team Expiri didn’t advance to the top five finalists of the National Pitch Competition, they are the only team from District 202 to establish an LLC by the end of the inaugural year of the program.
“This class was never about chasing perfection. It asked for passion, for purpose, for the courage to try,” Stasik said.
“I could not be prouder of the incredible work these students have shown with their company, Expiri,” said PNHS teacher Kimberly O’Connell. “As their teacher, reaching the quarterfinals on the national level is a remarkable achievement that speaks to their hard work, innovative thinking, and teamwork. I’m excited to see the future impact they each will make in the business world.”
For these students, this is more than a school project.
It’s the beginning of something real.
“Through this class, we’ve become great friends and business partners, driving this venture forward beyond the end of the class and high school,” Powell said.
Entering its second year this fall, the INCubatoredu program is offered at all four District 202 high schools. The program empowers students to build their own businesses through real-world experiences, mentorship, and collaboration.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, business mentor or would like to learn more about the District 202 INCubator program, please contact Dr. Kate Morris, Director of High School Curriculum and Instruction at kmorris@psd202.org.