Tech: Prototyping + investor demosJob: Founders pitching for their first investmentAuthors: E. H. Ackerman & J. D. AckermanARQS Press
Reading band: Ages 6–11Headline tech: Prototyping, pitch decks, and investor demosThe job: Founders pitching for their first investmentLocation: Nana Ackerman’s community kitchen and the Harbor Hall Idea Fair
The Hook
Fresh from rocket recycling, the Crew wants a business that helps kids find first jobs. Nana will certify the pitch only if it solves a real problem, works in a demo, and stays glitter-free near her rolls.
Cast in this issue
Tray — 10-year-old planner with adding-up slides.
Jay — 8-year-old demo tester and snack inspector.
Rae — 12-year-old prototype builder and fair negotiator.
Nana Ackerman — aggressive baker and pitch coach.
Mr. Pei — Harbor Hall community investor.
Comic Pages
PAGE 1
PANEL 1In Nana’s cinnamon kitchen, the Crew spreads job cards, a tool chest, and a savings jar. NANA: “You three worked eighteen thousand jobs.” TRAY: “Twenty-one, counting today.” NANA: “Same laundry.” JAY: “Nana math is delicious.”
PANEL 2Rae reads Mizz Zee’s message. RAE: “We need a problem, prototype, pitch deck, and demo.” MR. PEI: “Show what you make, who it helps, and what you need.” RAE: “Pay us properly.”
PANEL 3Rae holds a cardboard model. RAE: “Kid words: a prototype is a test idea. A pitch deck explains problem, plan, and cost. A demo shows whether it works.” JAY: “So: build it, explain it, do not let it fall on your foot.”
PAGE 2
PANEL 4Their “Every Job Ever Machine” has tubes, wheels, and twenty-seven labels. Jay pulls a lever. BOLD CAPTION: THE MACHINE UNFOLDS LIKE A CARDBOARD OCTOPUS, ROLLS THROUGH FLOUR, AND WEARS NANA’S APRON AS A CAPE.NANA: “That machine needs a nap and a bib.” TRAY: “Mistake logged: too many features.”
PANEL 5Nana taps a card. NANA: “Start small. What problem do kids have?” JAY: “They want to work, but grown-ups need safe, helpful jobs posted clearly.” TRAY: “Our First-Shift Starter Station: job cards, safety checks, a savings jar, and tool lending.” RAE: “That is a snack-sized problem with a big-brain fix.”
PANEL 6Rae clips on the Fold-Flat Prototype Clamp. JAY: “Hold my juice box; I will water plants.” One spray triggers the kitchen fan. BOLD CAPTION: PAPER JOB CARDS WHIRL AROUND THE ROOM LIKE A VERY POLITE BLIZZARD.GLITCH: “Congratulations. You have invented indoor weather.”
PAGE 3
PANEL 7Harbor Hall buzzes. Tray clicks three slides: “Problem,” “Starter Station,” and “Cost.” TRAY: “It costs $250 and helps kids and trusted adults agree on safe paid jobs.” MR. PEI: “Clear. What happens if a card gets mixed up?”
PANEL 8Glitch swaps dog-walking and window-watering. JAY: “Bolt would enjoy window-walking; windows may object.” BOLD CAPTION: BOLT TROTS PAST WEARING A LOOSE, DRY LEASH WHILE A SPRAY BOTTLE SITS IN A TINY CART.RAE: “Fix: color icons, adult check-ins, Tray’s beautiful spreadsheet.” TRAY: “I accept that compliment.”
PAGE 4
PANEL 9The repaired demo has green plant cards, blue dog cards, and red “ask first” cards. Nana nods so hard her gold earrings jiggle. NANA: “Grandma-certified. Emergency rolls.” JAY: “This is the best investor snack I have ever invested in.”
PANEL 10Mr. Pei puts a $250.00 seed card in the ledger. MR. PEI: “You listened, simplified, and tested again. That is founder work.” TRAY: “Ledger: $977.00 plus $250.00 equals $1,227.00.” RAE: “We will spend it on the station, not fifty-seven bells.” JAY: “One bell?” RAE: “One emotionally responsible bell.” MIZZ ZEE, calling: “Expo job tomorrow, crew!”
Tech Talk with Rae
RAE’S PANEL-IN-A-BOX: A prototype is a safe test. A pitch deck gives problem, solution, cost. A demo shows it works. An apron octopus is useful information. TRY IT: Make a paper prototype; ask what to change.
The Job Board
Job title: Founders pitching for their first investment
Who hired us: Mr. Pei, community investor at the Harbor Hall Idea Fair
Rules of the job: Solve a real problem, test safely, explain costs, and listen.
What went wrong: Our machine had too many features; Glitch swapped two cards.
How we fixed it: We simplified the station, added color icons and adult check-ins, and tried again.
What we got paid: $250.00 community seed investment; the Crew Bank ledger grew from $977.00 to $1,227.00.
Slang Decoder
Big brain** — usefully smart.Real ones** — kind, dependable helpers.Snack-sized** — easy to start.Hold my juice box** — watch this; I have an idea.That tracks** — that makes sense based on what happened.
The Crew has a starter station to help kids find first paid jobs. But their prototype sprouts wheels and Nana’s apron becomes a cape. Can they simplify the pitch, ace the demo, and earn seed money? The World Expo calls next!
Create a full-colour comic cartoon at Harbor Hall Idea Fair, with clean ink, saturated mustard, teal, lime, purple, orange, coral, and warm hall light. Show Tray exactly as locked: warm brown skin, short curly black hair with a lightning-bolt shaved part on the left, chunky blue smart glasses with camera dot on the right lens, mustard-yellow gear-patch hoodie, teal cargo shorts, orange sneakers, and slim backpack with drone zipper pull; Jay exactly as locked: lighter brown freckled skin, wild black hair, missing front tooth, lime rocket shirt, red shorts with gadget pocket, one striped and one polka-dot sock, purple glowing-lace sneakers; and Rae exactly as locked: dark brown skin, two long black braids with gold bead cuffs, purple rolled-sleeve utility jumpsuit, goggles on forehead, smartwatch on right wrist, silver-and-pink high-tops, and tool belt displaying the new Fold-Flat Prototype Clamp. Show Nana beaming beside cinnamon rolls, Mr. Pei watching the upright First-Shift Starter Station, and Bolt in the background with a dry leash.
Issue 21 appears in the collection Tray & Jay: World Explorers with its full-colour comic
illustration, Tech Talk page, Job Board card and Slang Decoder.
