The Vermont Pitch Challenge gives high school entrepreneurs from across the globe the chance to pitch innovative businesses that make a difference in their communities. Along the way, you’ll learn from top experts about how to write a business plan, create a compelling pitch, and achieve your goals–all while competing for cash prizes and scholarships to the University of Vermont.
Submissions open October 2024
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About the challenge
In teams of one to three, high school students will develop business plans that provide economic development to their communities and/or help the greater good.
The final five teams will pitch their plans to a panel of judges in-person at the University of Vermont.
Plans will be judged by UVM students using the following criteria:
- Does the product or service offer an innovative solution to a problem or challenge?
- Is it creating something different in the market?
- How effectively does the plan achieve the stated goals?
Accepted submission formats:
- Video (four minutes or less)
- Podcast (four minutes or less)
- Written document (five pages or less)
Successful business plans will:
- Provide a brief overview of how the product or service creates value
- Provide an overview of the sector, target customer and competition
- Show how you will successfully market and operate your venture
- Explain how you will garner startup resources
Prizes
Prizes are awarded to each individual member of the winning teams.
- Grand Prize: Full Scholarship to the University of Vermont (tuition and comprehensive fee)
- Places 2 and 3: $5,000 cash prize
- Places 4 and 5: $1,000 cash prize
Why enter the Vermont Pitch Challenge?
✓ Make your college application stand out
✓ Build the skills today’s employers are looking for
✓ Receive valuable feedback on your business idea
✓ Learn from entrepreneurial experts about how to build your business
✓ Challenge yourself to make a lasting impact in your community and beyond
UVM and Burlington: A hub of innovation
UVM and its home city of Burlington, Vermont are a hotbed of innovation and entrepreneurship. Funding for Vermont start-up firms, most in the Burlington area, increased 500% between 2021 and 2022 and shows no sign of letting up.
While the city’s startup scene continues to flourish, UVM continues its longstanding commitment to entrepreneurship, in and out of the classroom. Students can immerse themselves in entrepreneurship on campus through a dedicated major or minor, numerous courses, regular pitch competitions, and clubs. Through the Academic Research Commercialization (ARC) program, students turn the products of groundbreaking research, like pliable solar panels and a phone app that treats anxiety, into real startup companies. And, with the newly announced Joy and Jerry Meyers Cup, UVM students have the opportunity to win over $200,000 in cash and in-kind services to launch their own Vermont-based business venture.
Off campus, Burlington offers hundreds of internships at startups, established companies, and local tech incubators–like Beta Technologies, a super nova in the emerging field of electric aviation that has hosted more than 40 UVM interns over the past two years.