Idaho State University Business Pitch Competition
The Idaho State University Business Pitch Competition, funded by the Reed E. Ostermeier Entrepreneurship Endowment and in partnership with PitchVantage, invites high school students from across Southeast Idaho to pitch a business idea for their chance to win big scholarship prizes. Presented by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) within the College of Business, this event gives students the opportunity to not only win scholarship money, it also helps them become better public speakers, learn about entrepreneurship as a career and even make their business dream a reality.
First Place: $4,500 Idaho State University Scholarship
Second Place: $2,000 Idaho State University Scholarship
Third Place: $1,000 Idaho State University Scholarship
$200 Idaho State University Scholarships to Non-Advancing Semifinalists
How does the competition work?
The competition is divided into three sections - first round, semifinals and finals. The first round is completed via PitchVantage - an AI presentation software that gives real-time feedback on your presentation and allows you to record your pitch as many times as you'd like before making a final submission. Twelve students will be selected to move on to semifinals, which will be held live over Zoom the week of October 13. Three students will be selected to move on to the final round, which will be held in-person the morning of Friday, October 24 in the ICCU Bengal Alumni Center at Idaho State University. Winners will be announced at the conclusion of the final round. All scholarship prizes are exclusively for new, first-time ISU freshmen.
Scoring information and a pitch template will be sent to all registered participants and is also available below.
Scoring Guidelines for the ISU High School Pitch Competition
How are the winners chosen?
All students will be judged on a structured set of criteria in all sections of the competition. This criteria will be sent to all registered participants and is also available here:
Scoring Guidelines for the ISU High School Pitch Competition
All scholarship prizes are exclusively for new, first-time ISU freshmen.
What if I don't have a business idea?
Students often feel they can't compete because they don't have an idea that's "unique" or "innovative" enough. Don't let this discourage you! A good idea can, but doesn't have to be, unique. You can also think of how something already being done could be done better, or in a different way. Take something you're passionate about and see how you could turn it into a business!
Who do I contact if I have questions?
If you've read through all the information on this page but still have questions, you may reach out to Josh Thompson at joshuathompson@isu.edu.
Teachers - Josh is also willing to visit your class and speak to students about participating!
