Pirates Pitch Competition for High School Students

Here's how you can participate:

Step 1: Submit Your Idea

Submit an original business idea that, in 350 words or less, describes an innovative product or service that you would like create. Or, you can tell us about a business you've already launched! You also have the option of creating an unlisted YouTube video pitch of up to three minutes in length. Please send us the link to the video, and  please do not put any restrictions on who can watch since multiple judges will review.

Be sure to answer the following questions:

1. What problem does your product or service solve?
2. How do you propose making money?
3. Who are your customers and why will they buy your product or service?
4. Who is your competition and how are you going to be better than the competition?

Eligibility: All high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Step 2: Pitch Your Idea

Ten finalists will be selected in early November and invited to the event to present their business ideas to a panel of judges from Seton Hall University on Friday, November 22. This event will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (eastern) on our campus in South Orange, N.J. Judges are successful alumni entrepreneurs, corporate leaders and business faculty.

Step 3: Win Prizes and Recognition!

• 1st Place Winner: $2,500 cash prize. Plus $10,000 scholarship to attend Seton Hall University ($2,500 annually)
• 2nd Place Winner: $1,000 cash prize. Plus $6,000 scholarship to attend Seton Hall University ($1,500 annually)
• All other Finalists will receive a $4,000 scholarship to attend Seton Hall University ($1,000 annually)
• Audience Choice Award: $300. Audience members vote for their favorite student finalist. The winning finalist will be awarded the $300 Audience Choice Award.

Have Questions?

For more information and details, contact Susan Scherreik, Founding Director, Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Stillman School of Business Pirates Pitch Competition for High School students?
The competition teaches high school students entrepreneurship basics and idea generation and recognizes and rewards students with outstanding entrepreneurial know-how.

Who is eligible?
Current high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or better.

How do students apply?
Applications will next be accepted starting from Monday August 26, 2024 through October 23, 2024.

How are winners selected?
An independent panel of judges reviews all entries. The finalists will be invited to present their business idea (or discuss a business they now operate) in five minute presentations to a panel of judges. The judges will score all finalists based on their written submission and oral presentations to determine a 1st and 2nd place winner.

When do students and high schools receive their awards?
Winners and awards will be conferred immediately following the presentations. A check for the cash prizes will be mailed to the first- and second-place winners. Scholarships to Seton Hall University will be provided to students upon admission to the University.

Submit Your Idea