Do you have a business idea you’ve been dreaming about—or a project you’ve already started building? Pitch Fest 2025 Winter is your opportunity to turn that idea into something real.
Designed specifically for high school entrepreneurs in the United States, Pitch Fest is a free, virtual startup competition that empowers young innovators to pitch impactful business ideas, gain real-world experience, and compete for startup scholarships and cash prizes.
Whether you’re working solo or with a team, this competition is your chance to learn, grow, and showcase your entrepreneurial potential.
About Pitch Fest 2025
Pitch Fest is a nationwide virtual competition that brings together ambitious high school students who are passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation. Participants are challenged to present original business ideas that solve real problems and create meaningful impact.
Beyond the prizes, Pitch Fest focuses on helping students:
- Develop entrepreneurial thinking
- Learn how to pitch ideas effectively
- Gain early startup experience
- Connect with a community of young innovators
Participation is completely free, making it accessible to students from all backgrounds.
Important Dates to Remember
Make sure you mark these dates on your calendar:
- Competition Opens: November 1, 2025
- Submission Deadline: January 31, 2026 (by 11:59 PM PST)
- Winners Announced: By February 28, 2026
Late submissions will not be accepted, so early preparation is highly encouraged.
Why You Should Participate
Pitch Fest 2025 offers much more than just prizes. Participants gain valuable skills and experiences that can shape their academic and career paths.
By joining Pitch Fest, you can:
- Win up to $250 in scholarship funding
- Strengthen your college and scholarship applications
- Receive feedback from real entrepreneurs
- Learn how to transform ideas into viable startups
- Join a growing network of student innovators
Even if you don’t win, the experience itself is a powerful addition to your personal and academic portfolio.
Eligibility Criteria
To participate in Pitch Fest 2025 Winter, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a U.S.-based high school student
- Be between 14 and 18 years old
- Participate individually or as a team (maximum of 4 members)
- Submit an original business idea
Both early-stage ideas and projects already in development are welcome, as long as the concept is original.
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Winter 2025–2026 Awards & Prizes
Top submissions will be recognized with scholarships, certificates, and exclusive community roles.
1st Place
- $250 Startup Scholarship
- 1st Place Certificate
- Discord Community Winner Role
2nd Place
- $150 Startup Scholarship
- 2nd Place Certificate
- Discord Community Winner Role
3rd Place
- $100 Startup Scholarship
- 3rd Place Certificate
- Discord Community Winner Role
All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation, recognizing their effort and involvement in the competition.
Submission Guidelines
Participants are required to submit a pitch video that clearly explains their business idea.
Video Requirements:
- Must be uploaded to YouTube
- Include the hashtag #PitchLabs in both the title and description
- Video length must be between 1 and 5 minutes
- Must be filmed in landscape format
- Minimum resolution: 720p (a standard smartphone camera is sufficient)
Your pitch should explain:
- The problem you’re solving
- Your solution (product, service, or startup concept)
- Why your idea matters
Creating an infomercial-style video to support your pitch is optional but encouraged.
Competition Rules
To ensure fairness and creativity, Pitch Fest has clear competition rules:
- Business ideas must be legal, ethical, and compliant with local and state laws
- Submissions must represent a product, service, or startup concept
- All video content must follow the stated technical requirements
- Generative Artificial Intelligence is NOT allowed
AI Usage Policy:
- Allowed (Traditional AI): Research, decision-making, and data analysis
- Not Allowed (Generative AI): AI-generated images, videos, animations, visual effects, or content not manually created by a human
Failure to comply with AI and content rules may result in disqualification.
What Happens After Submission?
After the submission deadline:
- Entries are reviewed based on creativity, clarity, feasibility, and impact
- Winners are selected and announced by February 28, 2026
- Selected participants receive prizes and recognition
All participants remain part of the Pitch Fest community and gain access to resources and peer connections. Click here to start
Pitch Fest 2025 Winter is more than a competition—it’s a launchpad for young entrepreneurs. If you’ve ever wanted to test your ideas, gain startup experience, and stand out academically, this is your moment.
You don’t need a perfect idea—just the courage to start.
Prepare your pitch, tell your story, and take the first step toward turning your ideas into reality.