Student Pitch Competition

A Grant Opportunity Funded by the Community Economic Development Program

About the Opportunity

The Naturally Lewis Student Pitch Competition is a business proposal competition for high school students in Lewis County. If you're in grades 9-12 and thinking about starting a business, this competition is for you! The Competition consists of developing a formal business plan supplemented by a 3-to-5 minute video. The winner of the competition will receive $500 and direct support from local service providers to grow this business into a reality!

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Contact

Jenna Lauraine
Programs & Partnerships Director

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How It Works

Get an Idea

The core of your application is your business idea. Get creative, think of opportunities in our community, and think big!

Develop a Business Plan

This is where you tell us what your business is in detail. Remember: your business plan must demonstrate a solution to a problem or offer a unique product or service in Lewis County, NY!

Make Your Pitch

With your business plan, you'll be submitting a three-to-five minute "elevator pitch" video. Start with what inspires you, with the why of what you do. Then, you can talk about how you do it. And finally, explain what you do.

Program Details

Funding

The Community Economic Development Program has made $2,000 available to the 2025 Student Pitch Competition.
Lewis County High School Students will submit business pitches to compete for $500 -$1000 in prizes.
All applicants will have the opportunity to utilize Naturally Lewis Student Pitch Competition as a crowd-funding opportunity. Naturally Lewis will promote all pitch videos publicly, providing an opportunity for the public to donate toward a pitch of their choice.
Applications will be open on January 20, 2025. The deadline to submit applications is May 1, 2025.

Program Eligibility

Students in grades 9 – 12 throughout the 2024 -2025 school year who are either residents of Lewis County or enrolled in public, private, or home school in Lewis County, NY are invited to apply to the Naturally Lewis Student Pitch Competition. Projects should include:

Business Plan: Students must develop a unique business plan that supports their business concept. The Business Plan must demonstrate a solution to a problem or offer a unique product or service to Lewis County, NY.
Financial Projections
Pitch Video: Students must submit a 3 – 5 minute video with a short description of their business plan/concept

Evaluation Criteria

An independent Community Economic Development committee reviews Student Pitch Competition applications based on the following criteria (rubric attached):

Clarity of Idea
Creativity and Innovation
Feasibility and Viability
Revenue Model and Sustainability
Presentation and Communication Skills
Overall Impact and Potential

Timeline

January 20, 2025

Applications Open

May 1, 2025

Applications Due

Early June 2025

Competition Winners Announced

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Resources for Your Pitch

Plan Your Pitch with Business Model Canvas

Guide to Writing a Business Plan

Why's Marketing Important?

Understanding Profit

Market Research & Competitive Analysis

Pitch Like a Pro

How to Pitch Your Biz

Frequently Asked Questions

How much funding can I recieve?

Awards will range from $500 to $1,000.

Additionally, all applicants will have the opportunity to use this competition as a crowd-funding opportunity; Naturally Lewis will promote all pitches to the public, providing an opportunity for the community to donate toward a pitch of their choice.

Who is eligible for the Student Pitch Competition?

Lewis County high school student in grades nine-12 are eligible for the Student Pitch Competition. In addition, any student enrolled in a Lewis County-based BOCES program is also eligible.

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