YEI National Pitch Contest | Young Entrepreneur Pitch Challenge

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Young Entrepreneur Pitch Challenge

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Programs
Young Entrepreneur Pitch Challenge

YEI National Pitch Contest is an exciting pitch contest for students in grades K-12.

It offers a hands-on experience where students can develop key skills like creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, and presentation abilities. Through this challenge, students gain essential workforce readiness skills and build a mindset for future careers—whether or not they pursue entrepreneurship.

Students compete in one of three groups by grade level: K-4, 5-8, or 9-12.

Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is now open through December 18!

Classroom Registration

Individual Student Registration

2026-2027 Timeline

Registration Open:  September 1 through December 18, 2026

Entry Portal Opens: Early 2027

Entries Due:  February 12, 2027

Winners Announced:  April 5, 2027

It's as easy as 1-2-3:

Students, individually or in a team, come up with a business idea.
Students create a video (30-90 seconds) presenting their idea.
Students should keep the camera on themselves for most of the video—judges need to see and hear them pitch their idea. It should not be slideshow or visuals with a voiceover.

Helpful Hints:

Practice is key. We do not want to see students reading from a script.
Be enthusiastic! Viewers will be more interested if students are passionate about their idea.
If filming on a cell phone, hold the phone horizontally – vertical videos do not work well for this contest.

Official Rules

Judging Rubric

Parent Permission Form

2026 Grand Prize Winners