Our Mission:

Inspire and empower high school innovators to develop creative solutions to real-world challenges. By fostering a spirit of collaboration and innovation, we aim to equip the next generation of leaders with the tools they need to turn their ideas into impactful ventures.

 

Overview of Showcase Event:

This event provides an opportunity for high school students to refine their entrepreneurial skills, gain valuable feedback from experienced mentors and judges, and build confidence in presenting their ideas. To further incentivize excellence, we are offering a total of $5000 in cash prizes for top-performing participants, rewarding their hard work and ingenuity. 

 

Event Details:

• Location: Oak Ridge High School (Main Theater)

• Date and Time: Thursday, April 10th, 5:00 - 8:00 PM

• Event Schedule:

  • 5:00 - 6:00 PM – Trade Show

  • 6:15 - 7:30 PM – Pitches

  • 8:00 PM – Winners Announced

• Dinner and dessert provided for all attendees

• Free attendance (including spectators)

 

2025 Showcase Event Competition Rules:

 

Eligibility:

In order to be eligible for the competition, you must:

• Be a current high school student (student ID must be displayed upon arrival)

• Have a team of 2-4 people (all members must be available for the event)

• Fulfill the school affiliation requirement (this includes having a teacher, administrator, or parent as a mentor)

• Have an original, for-profit, tech-focused business idea

 

Competition Rounds:

This competition occurs in four rounds:

• Application Round: 50+ teams are evaluated based on business idea (apply below)

• Round 1: 30 teams are evaluated based on their submitted pitch deck

• Round 2: 20 teams are selected to continue competing at the Trade Show

• Round 3: 10 teams advance to the final round to pitch before a panel of judges and the live audience of attendees

At the end of the third round, 5 teams will be called back on stage for the announcement of the winners and the distribution of checks

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Application Submission Process:

• Online application deadline – UPDATED to March 28th by 5:00 PM

  • Found at the bottom of this page

  • 1 applicant per team

  • Application must include:

    • Member names for 2-4 students on team

    • Email for member submitting application

    • Parent or Teacher Sponsor name + email

    • Industry Sector (Hardware/Software focused, see specific sectors in application below)

    • Short Description of Business Idea

• Pitch deck submission deadline – April 1st by 11:59 PM

  • Format – 10 slides in Canva, PowerPoint, or Google Slides

  • Slide Deck-Example

  • Share/email your pitch deck to info@entrepreneursclub.org

  • Upon acceptance, we will provide ideas and advice to fine tune your slide deck and pitch as we approach the competition date. However, we expect you to have laid the complete foundation of your product and business idea. We want your business idea to be driven by the members of your team. Own your idea.

• 3’ x 4’ poster for Trade Show

  • You and your sponsor are responsible to create your poster including four quadrants: Problem, Solution, Market, and Team. A slide with high quality photos can be sent to FedEx and mounted on foam core to make a poster (we will provide easels). An example is found on the last slide of the slide deck example. Please note: FedEx usually takes 1-2 days of production time. You are also welcome to create/build your own poster from scratch.

 

Trade Show:

Teams will have a poster and will be spread out in a large room. Event attendees will be given tokens to “invest” in their favorite ideas. It is your job to convince them to invest as they walk from booth to booth in the Trade Show. Attendees will have an hour to explore the different companies and invest wherever they want. The amount of investment you accumulate will determine whether you go on stage to pitch and have a chance to win the prize money! The top ten teams based on token count and judges votes will pitch on stage to the entire crowd.

 

Pitch Presentation:

The time limit for the pitch presentation is 5 minutes

Requirements for the pitch presentation include:

• Identifiable problem statement

• Proposed solution and unique selling points

• Target market analysis

• Competitive landscape assessment

• Financial projections (revenue, costs, profits etc.)

 

Prize Money:

Each team will be given 5 minutes to present their companies to all the attendees and 3 judges. You will walk the crowd through your slide deck and convince everyone why you have a great business idea. After each team has presented, the judges will deliberate and determine the 1st-5th place teams.

• 1st place-$2500 

• 2nd place-$1000

• 3rd place-$750

• 4th place-$500

• 5th place-$250

 

Judging Criteria:

The judging criteria is applicable to all rounds of the competition

Content:

• Identify the problem

• Identify the solution

• Identify the market

• Explain marketing and sales strategy

• Market potential and target audience understanding

• Financial viability and sustainability

Qualities:

• Creativity and originality of idea

• Feasibility and practicality of solution

• Presentation skills (clear communication, confidence, engagement)

• Teamwork

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Helpful Hints:

Trade Show:

• Promote your professional image by wearing business-appropriate attire. 

• Have a quick pitch prepared and rehearsed. “Investors” will be moving around the room quickly and won’t have much time to spend at one company.

• Be prepared to answer questions. Attendees can ask as many questions as they want. Local CEOs love this event, so know the “ins” and “outs” of your company. 

• Go above and beyond. In the past we have had teams provide business cards. Additional examples or displays can really set your company apart from your competitors’. 

• Get people to attend. People you invite are more likely to invest in your business. The more people you get to come, the more likely you are to qualify for the big pitch.

Pitch Presentation:

• Control the stage. Walk around, make eye contact with the audience, and speak loudly and clearly. Use your hands to compliment your speaking and enhance your message.

• Practice with your team to make sure your timing is dialed in. Excessive use or under use of time will count against you. You will be cut off at 5 minutes.

• Know your audience. Make sure your presentation is tailored to the specific group you are presenting to. This will increase your credibility and engagement with the crowd.

• Be dynamic. Grab the crowd with a hook, and end your presentation with a call to action.

• Emphasize what problem your company solves and why your solution is unique.

• Have engaging, clear, and relevant visuals. When used correctly, visual aids can provide the audience with clarity and understanding, and can also increase your credibility. However, if used incorrectly, visual aids can distract from your message.