2022 Southwestern PA Youth Pitch Competition

Brought to you by BUILD.org

BUILD Graduates

Calling all educators serving middle school and high school youth in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties for an entrepreneurial competition

Compete for over $10,000 in prizes and win the
Youth Entrepreneurship Competition title!
Show your Community Pride!

Engage Your Students In Interactive Project-Based Learning

Receive Free Training & 10 Hour Project-Based Curriculum

Help Your Youth Become The CEO Of Their Own Lives

BUILD.org, in partnership with Richard King Mellon Foundation (RKMF), is excited to announce our 2022 Southwestern PA Youth Design Challenge! This youth entrepreneurship competition furthers BUILD and RKMF’s mission to arm our youth with real world experiences and skills.

Students will be led through the human-centered design process to create and pitch their own business idea. Additionally, they'll compete for cash prizes and a partner stipend.

Youth Entrepreneurship Competition Timeline & Details

February - April

Complete 10 Hour Design Challenge

April 15

Video Submission Deadline

April 22

Final Teams Selected

May 5

Final Teams Pitch to Panel of Live Judges

May 24

Final Showcase Viewing Party


The competition will have teams from schools or community organizations across Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. These student teams will experience BUILD’s Thriving Communities Design Challenge. As such, teams will create a product, service, or campaign as a solution for a thriving community.

All youth teams will practice their pitches and create a video as their official competition submission. Moreover, the top 3 business pitches will be invited for a final round of competition where youth will pitch live to a panel of judges. Finally, the top 3 teams with their participating educators and organizations will be awarded.

Educator Benefits & Prizes

BUILD Educator Swag for Participation

Free 90 Minute Professional Development Training on Design Thinking

Free 10-hour Curriculum on Human-Centered Design

Interactive & digitized learning platform

Competition Awards

$150 Stipend to Host a May Viewing Party for Every Participating Class

Cash Prizes for Top 3 Business Teams

1st place=$1000

2nd place=$750

3rd place=$500

Cash Prizes for Winning School/Org (For Educational Need)

1st place=$2,000

2nd place=$1,000

3rd place=$500

Organization pride and the Winning title of Southwestern PA Youth Pitch Competition

Presentation Guidelines

RUBRIC

IDEA

The idea directly addresses the problem in the team's POV statement.

The student's idea is innovative and offers a unique premise. 

There is a need for this idea in the real world.

PROTOTYPE

The team has a clear example of their idea and explanation of how their product, service, or campaign works by using a prototype (storyboard). 

The team offered a clear explanation of how their idea might work through a demonstration, video, or a corresponding method. 

PRESENTATION

The presentation had a clear introduction and closing. It follows the presentation guidelines and tips. 

Visuals were displayed to show the team's notes/and or prototype. Images and text formatting is clear, neat, and effort is evident. 

All team members participated in the presentation.

Clear voice projection was used.  

FAQ

What class can the Design Challenge be implemented in?

The Design Challenge can be implemented in all settings with teens. Educators across the country have delivered the Design Challenge in academic courses, CTE classes, enrichment programs, and at Community-Based Organizations and nonprofits (Ex. Boys & Girls Club). The challenge takes about 10 hours to implement. It can be incorporated as a project-based learning unit to help students learn empathy and practice designing solutions for communities.

What are the due dates for the challenge?

All competition video submissions are due by end of day, Friday, April 15, 2022.

Where should I submit my teen’s video?

Competition video submissions should be submitted at this link. The submission form asks for the following:

  1. Name and emails of the students that make up the business team
  2. The name of the business
  3. The school or organization the students represent
  4. The educator’s name and contact information
  5. A shareable link to the video
  6. A shareable link to an accompanying powerpoint or slide deck
  7. And links to the Educator and Youth Reflection Forms

How long does it take to progress through the Challenge?

It takes about 10 hours to progress through all 5 stages of the design challenge and to prepare the pitch.

When will the final teams be filmed?

The final 3 teams will meet during the school day on Thursday, May 5, 2022 between 9am-2pm to pitch their business idea to a panel of judges at One Valley.

SUBMIT YOUR PITCH

want to talk with us?

Thinking of participating and have questions or would like to learn more information from a BUILD staff member?

Please email Rashaida Melvin at rmelvin@build.org
or fill out the form below.

Presentation & Slide Preparation

Each business team should submit a 2-4 minute video of their business pitch.
On the video submission form, students should submit a video and the accompanying slide deck

1. Introduction – Greet the audience and introduce yourselves

2. Empathize: Meet our client – Introduce your client and describe their characteristics

3. Define: Point of View (POV) statement – State your POV problem statement (what problem or need you are trying to address with your idea)

4. Ideate: Our idea – State your team’s product/service/campaign idea that aims to help your client

5. Prototype - Your prototype is an example of your product/service/campaign. It can be a skit, storyboard, or physical model. Show a picture of your idea prototype, act it out, or show it for the camera! Explain how your product/service works, or explain how you will launch and run your campaign

6. Closing – Thank everyone for their time

VIDEO PREPARATION GUIDELINES

HOW TO RECORD

1. iPhone, iPad, Zoom and Loom are all choices of recording tools for their video presentation 
2. Record with both students and their presentation in view
3. Record horizontally for the best view of the students and their presentation
4. Follow Presentation Diagram to the Right

PRESENTATION TIPS.

- Make eye contact with the camera
- Notecards may be used as cue cards
•Pro Tip: Notecards should avoid having a full script
- Even when you are not speaking, don’t forget the camera is still recording!
•Be aware of your body language while you and your business partners are speaking
- Everyone has an opportunity to speak
- Professional dress is encouraged
- Practice makes perfect
•Practice how you will transition from each speaker
•Project your voice when you speak​

Follow positioning format Above

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Fill out this form to receive a free sample of our curriculum and to receive occasional email updates on how to bring BUILD to your community.