Compete for a share of $15,000 in awards! All high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors throughout Wisconsin are encouraged to apply.
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s Alta Resources Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation presents the Wisconsin High School Business Model Competition open to all sophomore, junior, and senior high school students. Students will have an opportunity to present an idea/solution for a problem that could/has lead to a business. Finalists selected to compete in the competition will have four minutes to pitch to a panel of judges. Students can participate as an individual or with a team of up to three; either way all you need is an idea to compete.
ELIGIBILITY
Open to all Wisconsin high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. Solo entrepreneurs and team applicants qualify (max of 3 team members). Not limited to specific business categories; all types of ideas are welcome. Existing ventures eligible if lifetime revenues and/or investment is less than $10,000.
AWARDS
1st Place: $8,000 Scholarship to attend UW Oshkosh
2nd Place: $5,000 Scholarship to attend UW Oshkosh
3rd Place: $2,000 Scholarship to attend UW Oshkosh
Students not attending UW Oshkosh will be presented with an alternative award of $3,000 (1st Place), $1,500 (2nd Place), or $500 (3rd Place). Awards will be distributed evenly among team members.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The first round of the competition will take place online and involves the submission of an application. Each submission will be evaluated by a panel of judges comprised of various business professionals. The top teams (up to 24) will advance to the finals competition at UW Oshkosh.
There is no cost to participate in the competition.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Applications Open
Open Now!
Applications Close
Sunday, April 10th
Finalists Announced
No later than Wednesday, April 20th
Event Date (In-Person)
Saturday, May 21st
QUESTIONS? CONTACT US!
Carrie Rule
rulec66@uwosh.edu
(920) 203-0512
Nancy Jo Dietzen
dietzenn@uwosh.edu
(920) 424-1541
Dan Brosman
brosmand@uwosh.edu
(920) 424-1826
EVENT DETAILS – SATURDAY, MAY 21st 2022
Student finalists will be selected to present their business idea to a panel of judges during an all-day event at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
COMPETITION BREAKDOWN
Finalists will have four minutes to pitch, followed by two minutes of questions and answers with the panel of judges. Judges will be drawn from a variety of backgrounds, including industry experts and executives, funders, founders and other specialists. The judges will evaluate pitches based on a set scorecard criteria. For the semi-finals round, judges assigned to each room will decide the top teams to advance to the finals.
Slides and/or visuals will be highly recommended at the finals event. Teams will have access to a computer and projector. Presentations should focus on the problem/solution, market opportunity, revenue model, competition, team qualities and next steps.
Presentations will be given in front of judges and other finalists. Non-team members may not speak during the presentations or Q&A.
Additional information will be shared with the student finalists after the online application phase has finished.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
This schedule is tentative and subject to change.
| 9:30-10:00 AM | Doors Open & Check-In |
| 10:00-10:15 AM | Welcome |
| 10:15-11:30 AM | Semi-Finals Round |
| 11:30-12:30 PM | Break: Self-Guided/Guided Tours, Judges Deliberate |
| 12:30-1:30 PM | Lunch, Announce Finalists |
| 1:30-2:45 PM | Finals Round |
| 2:45-3:15 PM | Judges Deliberate |
| 3:15-4:00 PM | Winners Announced, Photos, Networking |
| 4:00 PM | Event Concludes |
Semi-Finals: Judges in each room will decide the top three teams to advance to the finals (nine total).
Students will be responsible for all transportation and lodging associated with participating in the Wisconsin High School Pitch Competition.
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