All clubs and youth serving organizations are encouraged to have students participate in the 2023 Missouri Youth Entrepreneurship Pitch Challenge by submitting videos pitching a business idea.
Individuals or teams of up to 4 students in K-12 afterschool programs can pitch an original idea for a business, product, technology, or social venture that would make their community and world better by:
- Creating a video pitch of no more than 2 minutes
- Registering for the pitch challenge
- Uploading their video by grade level (K-4, 5-8, 9-12) by midnight, July 15, 2023.
Student video entries will be judged for awards and prizes (up to $2,500 value) by a panel of Missouri educators, entrepreneurs, and business professionals. An online celebration and recognition program will be held for students, their families and afterschool supporters on August 15th from 6:00 to 7:00PM. The top 10 scores in grades K-4, 5-8 and 9-12 will be entered in the National Pitch Challenge event.
Resources for programs and students:
- A recorded Pitch Challenge toolkit training presentation
- Pitch Toolkit download
- Pitch Challenge Rules and submission details
- Last year’s state and national champion’s pitch video
- Official Pitch Challenge Flyer
Afterschool programs can conduct short educational programs and host a local pitch event, leading to student entries in the statewide contest. They can also support individual K-12 students in preparing video pitches and entering the contest. Ongoing support is provided by MASN and training and technical assistance partners, Young Entrepreneur Institute and Venture Lab. Questions can be sent via email to Aaron Banks, abanks@missouri.edu.
By participating in the Pitch Challenge, students and programs can also join in a broader effort coordinated by Missouri AfterSchool Network and statewide partners to help K-12 afterschool students with growing viable microenterprises and connecting students to support systems and opportunities for entrepreneurs in their communities.
MASN is grateful to present this opportunity through the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
