Budding high school entrepreneurs will have the chance to compete for $50,000 in a “Shark Tank”-style competition at Seton Hall University.
Students with a business idea or a business they’ve already launched can compete in the seventh annual High School Pirates Pitch competition hosted by the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Stillman School of Business, Seton Hall said in a news release.
“We recognize how our business climate has been rocked by the unprecedented COVID-19 global health crisis, and that entrepreneurial education is even more important than ever before,” said Susan Scherreik, founding director of the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
High school sophomores, juniors and seniors with a 3.0 GPA or better can submit proposals that describe an innovative product or service in 350 words or less, the university said. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, Oct. 26.
Ten finalists will be selected to present their business ideas to a panel of judges, and the winner will receive $2,500 and a $10,000 tuition scholarship. Second place will receive $1,000 in cash and a $6,000 scholarship, and the remaining finalists will receive a $4,000 scholarship to Seton Hall.
“Students participating receive crucial business lessons on how to be nimble and flexible,” Scherreik said. “I am always impressed by their talent, passion, creativity and confidence. This generation demonstrates a can-do entrepreneurial spirit that we need now more than ever to solve the many challenges the world faces today.”
