NOTICE: This website is no longer updated, as the Decade of Difference initiative has reached its sunset date. Relevant information has been transferred to the main HCOE site.

Contest Info

INNOVATE! Business Challenge is a high school competition to create an idea for a business startup. Winners receive thousands of dollars in cash and prizes to help get their business off the ground! To enter, just record a 60-90 second video "elevator pitch" telling us about your idea and upload it here.

50 ideas will be selected to move on to a second round, and the top five or so ideas are selected for a finale, where students present their ideas to a panel of judges.

 

Phase I: Upload Your Video "Elevator Pitch"

Create a business start-up idea, then record and submit that idea as a 60-90 second elevator pitch video recording. Ideas can be an item that does not exist, a new or improved product or service. The first 100 video submissions will receive a prize. It will be sent via school courier service for distribution to each student who submitted a video of their idea. One prize person and per team.

This website is your portal to submit it online. You may also mail a thumbdrive or DVD to HCOE INNOVATE! Business Challenge 901 Myrtle Avenue, Eureka, CA 95501. Videos must be at least 60 seconds long and no longer than 90 seconds, and must be less than 95MB in size. For help with video file size, click here.

The Contest Resoursces page has all kinds of tips to help you dream up with your idea, record and submit it. The idea workshop video explains how the Challenge works. Make sure your 60-90 second video has your Video Slate included so we know who you are and what school you go to. To see some good examples, watch the videos from previous finalists. Good luck!

Deadline: Friday, February 15th, 5 p.m.

 

Phase II: Business Concept Questions

Up to 50 Semi-finalists will be selected to move on to Phase II and expand their idea by answering 13 Business Concept Questions. Semifinalists will need to officially register in the Challenge by March 9.

The 13 Business Concept Questions form is a fillable document. Semifinalists will be emailed a link to the document and will need to make sure they provide their name and contact information. Your answers and information are to be typed in the space provided and completed by the deadline.

There will be several workshops to help semifinalists develop their concept and answer their 13 questions. Semifinalists are highly encouraged to attend at least one workshop. Local experts will be available to coach and offer their advice.

Deadline: Friday, April 12th at 5 p.m

 

Phase III: Top 10 Presentations

Based upon the answers to the 13 Business Concept Questions, the top ten business start-up ideas are selected to present to a panel of judges. The top five ideas will pitch their ideas live at the Finale! To help prepare the students for these presentations, business mentors will provide feedback during a formal practice as well as one-on-one. The top five are competing for thousands of dollars in prizes and awards.

The five remaining start-up ideas will present their concepts to judges in a Design Review where smaller prize values are awarded. All Finalists will be recognized and rewarded at the Finale.

Five Design Reviews: Friday, May 17, Humboldt County Office of Education (2:30 - 5 p.m.)

Top Five Mock Practice: Thursday, May 23, Humboldt County Office of Education (1 p.m.)

Top Five Rehearsal: Tuesday, May 28, Sequoia Conference Center (12 - 5:30 p.m.)

Top Five Finale: Thursday, May 30, Sequoia Conference Center (5 p.m.)

 

If you have questions call (707) 445-7563 or e-mail kbrooks@hcoe.org.

Begin now by uploading your elevator pitch video!

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