Virginia Entrepreneurship Lean Pitch Challenge

High school teachers are invited to nominate a student or team of students to participate in Virginia’s second virtual Entrepreneurship Lean Pitch Challenge. This statewide competition awards real seed money to assist student-entrepreneurs in starting a business. Students are also welcome to pitch business-centered solutions they are not planning to actually implement and spend the cash prizes however they please.  The goal is to practice the entrepreneurial mindset and innovative problem-solving skills required by employers and self-employment opportunities in Virginia’s Innovation & Gig Economy.  Expert panel offers glows, grows, and questions.  Zoom participants vote online to crowdsource People’s Choice Award.

STUDENT NOMINEES SHOULD:

• Be a Virginia high school student (teams also welcome)
• Pass the Virginia Board-approved U.S. Entrepreneurship Certification Examination (preferred not required)
• Exam Resources Package includes self-study materials (optional) - Email Dr. Cheryl Ayers at cheryl42@vt.edu
• Use the 3-Minute Lean Pitch PowerPoint template and rubric (required) - Email Dr. Cheryl Ayers at cheryl42@vt.edu

CASH PRIZES

1st Place - $150

2nd Place - $100

3rd Place - $50

Winners also earn a Certificate of Achievement and Virginia Tech swag

Teachers of winning entrepreneurs receive The Entrepreneur Game® boardgame

By APRIL 30

1. Teachers register online at VCEE
2. Teachers email their best 3-minute Lean Pitch video and PPT slide deck (PDF file) to Dr. Cheryl Ayers at cheryl42@vt.edu (one video and slide deck per teacher)

By MAY 7

1. Panel selects top 5 Lean Pitches
2. Panel notifies teachers of students who will participate in the statewide virtual Lean Pitch Challenge
3. Zoom link shared

QUESTIONS

Dr. Cheryl Ayers at cheryl42@vt.edu