Overview
The Vermont Pitch Challenge gives high school entrepreneurs from across the globe the chance to pitch innovative business concepts that will make a difference in their communities. Along the way, you’ll learn from top experts (through online webinars and networking opportunities) about how to develop a successful business model, create a compelling pitch, and achieve your goals– all while competing for cash prizes and scholarships to the University of Vermont. The primary purpose of the Challenge is to promote a positive and impactful educational experience for all participants.
Student and team rules
- Teams are comprised of 1-3 high school students who are in grades 10-12 at the time of the submission deadline. Participants must be enrolled in an official high school or secondary education institution or program for the duration of the Vermont Pitch Challenge.
- Teams require 1 adult sponsor at the time of the application who is available and, in a position, to mentor the team and participate in an in-person finalist event and provide support to all team members. Adult sponsors must be 21 years of age or older and must have a direct academic connection to the team members (i.e. counselor, teacher, etc.)
- Students are permitted to participate as part of only one team.
- Team members may attend different high schools/secondary education institutions/programs.
- Only original concepts conceived by the members of the team may be submitted to the Vermont Pitch Challenge.
- Teams can submit proposals for existing businesses if:
- Profits amounted to no more than $100,000 by the submission deadline.
- Funding from outside sources, the amounts, investors, and dates of funding is disclosed and amounts to less than $150,000 by the submission deadline.
- Businesses that have received investment from venture capital firms do not qualify.
- If a person not on the team helped develop the concept, the team must obtain her or his written permission and submit this as part of the application.
- The Vermont Pitch Challenge Committee (VPCC) maintains sole discretions to interpret any of the Challenge’s rules, regulations and terms and conditions.
Proposal rules
- All submission information must be submitted in English.
- All team members must complete an application.
- Team captains must submit the proposal as part of their application.
- Team members (non-captains) do not submit the proposal as part of their application.
- Business Proposals may be submitted in one of the following formats:
- Written: 3-5 pages
- Word Document
- Google Document (please be sure to allow for public viewing)
- Video: Maximum 4 minutes
- Link to video (YouTube or other video streaming service)
- Audio: Maximum 4 minutes
- Link to podcast/audio (Spotify, Anchor or other audio streaming service)
- Written: 3-5 pages
Judging criteria and rubric
For full judging criteria and a judging rubric please see the judging document (PDF).
In-person event rules
- All participating teams must be accompanied by their official adult sponsor, unless the leadership team gives approval for another adult to accompany the team prior to the event.
- Pitches are limited to 7 minutes. Teams should practice their pitches many times to meet this time requirement. Teams are free to use creative methods (i.e. Powerpoint, Keynote, display boards, prototypes, images, sounds, motion graphics, etc.) to portray their innovations and concepts.
- The judges will ask questions for up to three minutes after the pitch.
- UVM will provide $600 per student for each finalist team to assist with travel costs and accommodations. Any remaining cost of travel, accommodations, meals, etc. is strictly the responsibility of the team members.
- Teams must be present at the in-person final event to be eligible to win prizes.
Prize terms and conditions
- The Grand Prize will be a full 4-year scholarship [tuition and comprehensive fees] for each team member. The Scholarship award is contingent upon undergraduate first-time, first-year admission to the University of Vermont and does not result in automatic admittance to the University of Vermont.
- UVM Scholarship Terms and Conditions
- The scholarship will be accounted for when determining financial aid eligibility.
- This award may not be combined with other UVM merit scholarships.
- Student must be enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Renewal eligibility is evaluated at the end of each spring semester.
- This scholarship may not be applied to summer session courses. This scholarship may only be applied to the fall and spring semester.
- Review UVM’s general scholarship policies for additional terms and conditions.
- UVM Scholarship Terms and Conditions
- Prizes for 2nd and 3rd place will be a $5,000 cash prize, to be split evenly between team members.
- Prizes for 4th and 5th place will be a $1,000 cash prize, to be split evenly between team members.
- By participating in Vermont Pitch Challenge, you grant the University of Vermont the limited right to utilize any images, pictures, and references to your concept related to your participation for promotional and other purposes that are consistent with an education initiative.
- The Vermont Pitch Challenge operates according to uniform standards developed by the Vermont Pitch Challenge Committee. These standards are intended to provide equality of opportunity while also promoting a positive and impactful learning experience for all participants.
- The Vermont Pitch Challenge includes open session presentations and external review of all concept submissions. Participation is voluntary and participants are responsible for determining whether to disclose proprietary or sensitive information in their submissions and presentations. The University of Vermont and all other partnering organizations assume no liability for accidental or voluntary disclosures of proprietary information or intellectual property.
- By serving in a volunteer Vermont Pitch Challenge role including but not limited to judging business proposals and final pitches, individuals involved affirm they will not divulge or utilize confidential information gained during judging and mentoring Vermont Pitch Challenge submissions, or discuss with any other party any details of any Vermont Pitch Challenge submission that the individual is expected to judge/mentor. Volunteers will not copy or retain any materials gained throughout the Vermont Pitch Challenge experience, nor remove any written notice, material, score sheet, document or part of any submission.
- The Vermont Pitch Challenge business concepts may not violate the law or a UVM policy.
- Each Vermont Pitch Challenge finalist team must participate in the in-person competition to be eligible for an award.
- The Vermont Pitch Challenge leadership team shall be the arbiter of all rules and rule clarifications. The team reserves the right to disqualify any participants who violate these rules or the spirit of the competition. Rule questions and inquiries should be submitted to vtpitch@uvm.edu.