2026 Young Entrepreneur Pitch Challenge
40
Days Left
to Enter

Young Entrepreneur Pitch Challenge is an exciting pitch competition for Ohio students in grades K-12. It offers a hands-on experience where students can develop key skills like creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, and presentation abilities. Through this challenge, students gain essential workforce readiness skills and build a mindset for future careers—whether or not they pursue entrepreneurship.

Students compete in three age groups: K-4, 5-8, or 9-12 grade.

How to Enter:

  1. Come up with a business idea.
  2. Create a video (30-90 seconds) presenting your idea.
  3. Keep the camera on you for most of the video—judges want to see and hear you pitch your idea.

Helpful Hints 

  1. Practice is key. We do not want to see you reading from a sheet of paper.
  2. Be enthusiastic! Viewers will be more interested in your idea if you are excited about it.
  3. If filming on your cell phone, hold your phone horizontally – vertical videos do not look professional.

Judging Rubric 

Click here for the official judging rubric.

Timeline

Pitch Submission Deadline March 2nd 
Judging Begins March 4th - March 11th
Public Voting March 23 - April 1 
Winners Announced April 14th