Pitch Fest Competition 2025: $250 Scholarship for High School Entrepreneurs

The Pitch Fest Competition 2025 is a virtual pitch competition for U.S. high school students aged 14-18 who want to test a business idea in front of real judges. Cash scholarships go to the top three entries — $250 for first place, $150 for second, and $100 for third — and every participant receives mentorship access, a certificate of participation, and a chance to connect with peers and entrepreneurs. Submissions are short YouTube videos between one and five minutes, uploaded with the hashtag #PitchLabs and filmed in landscape at 720p minimum. The deadline is January 31, 2026.

At a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers

The Pitch Fest Competition gives high school students a structured way to develop and present a business idea. In practical terms, you submit a short video pitch on YouTube, judges evaluate it against clear criteria, and the top entries receive cash scholarships. Beyond the money, every participant receives a certificate and access to mentorship from working entrepreneurs. For students who are exploring business for the first time, the process of defining a problem, designing a solution, and presenting it on camera builds communication, planning, and critical thinking skills that transfer to college applications, job interviews, and future ventures.

The competition also creates a peer community. Participants can learn from watching each other’s pitches, and the networking opportunities can lead to collaborations, feedback, and support well beyond the competition itself.

Who Should Apply

This competition is specifically for U.S. high school students aged 14-18. You can enter solo or form a team of up to four people. You do not need a working product or prototype — judges evaluate the concept, its feasibility, and how clearly you communicate it.

Strong candidates include students who have identified a problem in their school, community, or daily life and have thought through a realistic approach to solving it. That might be a tech tool, a local service, a social enterprise, or a product addressing a common need. If you have already started building something, that strengthens your pitch, but it is not required.

If you are part of a school entrepreneurship club, DECA chapter, FBLA team, or similar program, this competition gives you a concrete project to work toward. If you are exploring entrepreneurship for the first time, it is a low-risk, high-reward way to practice pitching.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

1. Start with the problem, not the product. Open your video by clearly describing the problem you are solving and who experiences it. Judges evaluate originality and feasibility, and both start with showing you understand the need.

2. Keep the video short and focused. Aim for 2-3 minutes rather than filling the full 5 minutes. A concise pitch that covers problem, solution, market, and ask is stronger than a rambling overview. Cut anything that does not directly support your case.

3. Show, do not just tell. If you have a prototype, demo it. If you have customer feedback, quote it. If you have data on market size, display it on screen. Visual evidence is more convincing than words alone.

4. Rehearse your delivery. Speak clearly, maintain eye contact with the camera, and avoid reading from a script. Record multiple takes and choose the one where you sound most natural and confident.

5. Follow technical requirements exactly. Film in landscape mode at 720p or higher. Upload to YouTube with the hashtag #PitchLabs. Judges may not review entries that do not meet format rules.

6. Get outside feedback before submitting. Show your video to a teacher, parent, or friend who is not familiar with your idea. If they cannot explain it back to you after watching, simplify your message.

7. Address feasibility directly. Judges want to see that your idea could work in the real world. Mention who your customers are, how you would reach them, and what it would cost to get started — even if the numbers are estimates.

Application Timeline

Work backward from the January 31, 2026 deadline:

• November-December 2025: Brainstorm and research your business idea. Study competitors, define your target customer, and outline your pitch structure.
• Early January 2026: Write your pitch script and create any visual aids. Record a first draft of your video and share it with a mentor or peer for feedback.
• Mid-January 2026: Re-record your video incorporating feedback. Check technical requirements: landscape mode, 720p minimum, clear audio.
• January 20-28, 2026: Upload your video to YouTube with the #PitchLabs hashtag. Submit your application through the official form. Do not wait until the last day — upload issues happen.
• By January 31, 2026: Confirm your submission is complete and your video is accessible.

Required Materials

• Pitch video (1-5 minutes): Filmed in landscape, minimum 720p, uploaded to YouTube with the hashtag #PitchLabs. This is the core of your submission.
• Business idea description: A written summary of your concept, key features, and target audience.
• Team information (if applicable): Names, roles, and contributions of each team member (up to 4).
• Contact information: Accurate details so organizers can reach you about your application status.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

• Originality: Judges reward ideas that address a real problem in a new way. Avoid copying existing products — explain what makes your approach different.
• Clarity of presentation: Your pitch should be easy to follow. Use simple language, a logical structure (problem → solution → market → ask), and clean visuals.
• Feasibility: Demonstrate that your idea could realistically be built and sold. Even rough estimates of cost, pricing, and customer acquisition show you have thought it through.
• Enthusiasm grounded in substance: Genuine passion for your idea is important, but it must be backed by research and clear thinking. Energy without evidence does not score well.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring format rules: A video in portrait mode, under 720p, or missing the #PitchLabs hashtag may be disqualified. Check requirements twice before uploading.
• Rushing the submission: Last-minute uploads risk technical problems. Submit at least three days before the deadline.
• Pitching a vague idea: Saying “I want to help people” without specifying who, how, and why is not enough. Be specific about your target customer and your solution.
• Overcomplicating the pitch: Stick to the essentials. Judges have many videos to review. A clear, concise pitch is more effective than one that tries to cover everything.
• Skipping feedback: Show your video to someone before submitting. An outside perspective almost always reveals improvements you would not catch on your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I participate as part of a team? Yes. Teams of up to four members are allowed. Identify each member and their role in the application.

Do I need a working product? No. Judges evaluate the concept, its feasibility, and your presentation. A prototype or demo strengthens your pitch but is not required.

What if my idea is similar to something that already exists? That is fine — most businesses operate in competitive markets. Focus on what makes your approach different or better for a specific audience.

Can I submit more than one entry? Check the official competition rules for limits on multiple submissions.

What happens after the competition? Winners receive their scholarships and recognition. All participants receive a certificate and access to mentorship and networking resources.

How to Apply

1. Develop your business idea and write a pitch script.
2. Record a 1-5 minute video in landscape mode at 720p or higher.
3. Upload your video to YouTube with the hashtag #PitchLabs.
4. Submit your application through the official form before January 31, 2026.

For full details and to register, visit the official page: Pitch Fest Competition Registration