Competition Overview

1. Eligibility

• Open to all high school students in Metro Atlanta.

• Students may apply individually or in teams of up to 4 members.

• Each student/team may submit only one pitch.

• Once registered(through clicking the Register Now button), participants will be sent the video submission link through email.

• Previous competition winners are welcome to apply with a new idea.

• Participants will be asked to prove originality IF their business too closely resembles past pitches.

• Participants have to disclose if they are submitting their business to multiple competitions(this won’t affect anything).

2. Pitch Video Requirements

• Length: 4-5 minutes maximum (submissions longer than 5:10 will not be accepted).

• Format: Video file upload or unlisted YouTube link..

• Setting: Be creative! You can record your pitch in a classroom, office, living room, or outside — just make sure your voice is clear.

• View the competition timeline on our homepage!

3. What to Include in Your Pitch

Your pitch should tell a story that captures attention and convinces the judges your idea is worth funding. Think of it as your own mini Shark Tank pitch.

Required Components:

1. The Problem

   • What real-world problem are you solving?

   • Who experiences it, and why is it important?

   • Use an example or story to make it relatable.

2. Your Solution (The Product/Service)

   • What exactly are you offering?

   • How does it work? Demonstrations or visuals are highly encouraged.

3. Market & Customers

   • Who are your target customers?

   • How big is this market (total addressable market, service available market)?

   • Why will they choose your solution?

4. Competitive Advantage & Current Competition

   • Who else is already trying to solve this problem (companies, startups, or substitutes)?

   • What makes your idea stand out compared to existing options? (price, convenience, design, technology, brand, etc.)

   • Why would customers choose your solution over competitors?

5. Business Model

   • How will your idea make money? (sales, subscriptions, partnerships, ads, etc.)

   • If you don’t know all the details, outline your best guess — creativity matters.

6. Finances

   • What are your estimated costs to start (materials, marketing, etc.)?

   • What are your expected revenues (how much you could make per customer, or per month)?

   • Be realistic, but don’t be afraid to show growth potential.

   • A simple chart or number breakdown goes a long way.

7. Traction (Optional but Encouraged)

   • Do you have sales already (even small ones)? Share them!

   • Have you tested your idea with friends, family, or at school?

   • Any proof that people want what you’re offering will boost your pitch.

8. Impact & Vision

   • Beyond making money, why does your idea matter?

   • Will it help your community, solve a personal challenge, or make people’s lives better?

   • Share your vision of where this idea could go in the future.

4. Judging Criteria

Your pitch will be scored based on:

• Clarity (20 pts): Is the idea explained simply and clearly?

• Problem(10 pts): Does the business address a problem that a lot of people experience?

• Creativity (20 pts): Is the solution unique or innovative?

• Feasibility (20 pts): Could this realistically work with the right support and funding?

• Finances (20 pts): Are the costs, revenue model, and money-making potential accurate and explained?

• Delivery & Impact (20 pts): Is the pitch engaging, confident, and does it show passion/impact?

(Optional bonus: up to +5 pts for demonstrating actual sales or customer traction.)

5. Competition Process

1. Video Submission Round

   • All students submit their video pitches online.

   • Judges will review and select the top ~15 pitches to advance.

2. Finale: Live “Shark Tank–Style” Event

   • Finalists pitch their idea live in front of real investors.

   • Each finalist/team gets 3 minutes to pitch + 2 minutes of Q&A.

   • Cash prizes awarded:

     • 🥇 1st Place: $2,000 seed funding

     • 🥈 2nd Place: $1,500 seed funding

     • 🥉 3rd Place: $1,000 seed funding

6. Tips for a Winning Pitch

• Start strong — grab attention with a story, statistic, or bold statement.

• Keep it simple — avoid jargon; imagine you’re explaining it to a 9th grader.

• Show your numbers — even rough estimates show you’ve thought about finances.

• Use visuals or props — demo a prototype, show a sketch, or include a quick slide.

• Practice timing — don’t go over 3 minutes.

• Be passionate — enthusiasm matters as much as the idea itself.

7. Important Notes

• Participation is 100% free.

• All ideas remain the property of the students.

• Teams are responsible for dividing prize money among themselves.

• Finalists must attend the live event in order to be eligible for prizes.