FALL 2021 PITCH COMPETITION
EntreEd is hosting The ESTEAM Pitch Competition as part of the ARC-funded ESTEAM project. The ESTEAM project helps middle- and high-schools across the region infuse entrepreneurship education into core academic areas, with a focus on STEAM classrooms.
The ESTEAM Pitch Competition highlights student innovation and invention from across our seven-state region to help fund their ideas and kickstart entrepreneurial thinking in communities across Appalachia.
Eligible teams include middle- and high-school students ages 14+ within the ESTEAM grant project region (If you are 13 and in middle school, you will need a teacher to register your business) To compete, individual students or a team of students must have a teacher identified.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finalists, regardless of team or individual submission. Teachers for the top three teams will earn $1,000 for their classroom.
KEY DATES
Business Sign-Ups are currently open!
November 5th by 11:59pm EST
Deadline for Round 1 Submission
December 15th from 10am-1pm EST
Round 2 Live Pitch via Zoom
COMPETITION DETAILS
The competition will have two rounds. Round 1 includes an elevator pitch, submitted via the VentureDash platform. Upon internal review, up to 15 teams will be invited to compete in Round 2, a live pitch via Zoom to a panel of judges.
ROUND 1:
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Students will submit an elevator pitch that must not exceed two minutes in length via the VentureDash platform by November 5th, 11:59 p.m. EST.
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Complete a Business Model Canvas for your idea using the Co.Starters Canvas.
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Submit a 90-second Elevator Pitch via a YouTube or Vimeo link.
ROUND 2:
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Up to the Top 15 teams will complete the ESTEAM Business Canvas. Then they will pitch live via Zoom to a panel of judges. Pitches will be 5-minutes with a 3-minute Q&A period. Winners will be announced.
PRIZE DETAILS
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finalists, regardless of team or individual submissions. Cash prizes to teams will be split between all participating team members listed on the VentureDash roster at the time of the competition. Teachers for the top three teams will earn $1,000 for their classroom.
1ST PLACE
$1,250 - Team
$625 - Individual
2ND PLACE
$1,000 - Team
$500 - Individual
3RD PLACE
$750 - Team
$375- Individual
TEACHER INCENTIVES
Students aren't the only winners! The teacher working with each of the winners will take home $1,000 for their classroom.
Additional incentives for all participating teachers will be announced throughout the competition timeline.
RESOURCES
Check out the helpful resources below developed by the ESTEAM Project Team to assist you and your students in your pitch submission!
PORTAL TUTORIAL
A step-by-step guide to registering your team in the VentureDash platform
PREP SUPPORT
Info session video with important details on the pitch timeline, deliverables, and VentureDash platform
LEARN2LAUNCH
A 10-lesson online course ready for use in the classroom and fully preparing students to pitch