High School Entrepreneurs! You are Invited to Compete for $50,000 in Seton Hall University’s Pirates Pitch Startup Competition

Are you a high school student who dreams of launching your own business, or are you already an entrepreneur with a venture underway? If so, you are invited to participate in the 10th annual Pirates Pitch Competition for High School Students, hosted by the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Stillman School of Business.

This exciting competition will take place at 3-6:30 p.m. (ET), Friday, November 22, 2024, and offers over $50,000 in cash prizes and scholarships to Seton Hall University. The competition is open to high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with a 3.0 GPA or higher. To enter, students should submit a business proposal of 350 words or less, describing an innovative product or service they would like to develop—or they can share details about a business they have already started. Participants also have the option to submit a three-minute YouTube video pitch. The deadline to submit applications is Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

This "Shark Tank"-style competition provides students with valuable experience in entrepreneurship, helping them learn how to identify business opportunities and deliver a persuasive pitch. Last year, the Pirates Pitch Competition received 150 submissions from 18 states and 6 foreign countries, and this year promises to be just as competitive.

Participating in startup contests fosters creativity and innovation and also helps students develop public speaking skills, which are essential for all career paths. Whether a student is pitching a business idea, persuading others to support their projects, or interviewing for an internship, this competition teaches effectively ways to communicate value.

"Today’s high school students are innovative and possess a passion for entrepreneurship, and we look forward to a very exciting competition," said Susan Scherreik, founding director of the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Scherreik also highlighted a recent survey by Junior Achievement USA, noting, "Three in five American teens (60 percent) would be more interested in starting their own business than having a traditional job." She added, "Students who practice entrepreneurship in high school and college get a head start on learning how to make their startup dreams a reality."

A panel of judges, consisting of faculty members and successful alumni entrepreneurs, will evaluate all submissions and select 10 finalists. Finalists will deliver a five-minute pitch followed by a five-minute Q&A session with the judges. The event will be held on Seton Hall University’s South Orange campus, and family members, teachers and classmates are invited to attend and vote for their favorite finalist for the Audience Choice Award.

The top finalist will receive a $2,500 cash award and a $10,000 scholarship to Seton Hall University. The second-place winner will earn a $1,000 cash award and a $6,000 scholarship, while all other finalists will each be awarded a $4,000 scholarship ($1,000 annually). Additionally, there will be a $300 Audience Choice Award presented.

The Pirates Pitch Competition for High School Students helps to develop and showcase entrepreneurial skills that align with the World Economic Forum’s list of top skills needed for success, including complex problem-solving, critical thinking and emotional intelligence. This competition also serves as an introduction to the Stillman School of Business, its Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the nationally-ranked Center for Leadership Development within the Buccino Leadership Institute.

The event will be live-streamed by the Digital Media Team. Use this link to access the stream.

For more information and to apply, visit Pirates Pitch Competition for High School Students.

Categories: Business