Pirates Pitch Competition for High School Students

Do you dream of starting a business? Perhaps you already have! Seton Hall University offers high school students an annual contest to teach the basics of entrepreneurship and idea generation. It's a fun way for high school students to put their entrepreneurial know-how to the test and win cash prizes and Seton Hall University scholarships.

Deadline Extended! The deadline for entries is now November 3.

Step 1: Submit Your Idea

Submit an original business idea that, in 350 words or less, describes an innovative product or service that you would like create. Or, you can tell us about a business you've already launched! Be sure to answer the following questions:

1. What problem does your product or service solve?
2. How do you propose making money?
3. Who are your customers and why will they buy your product or service?
4. Who is your competition and how are you going to be better than the competition?

Deadline: November 3, 2021
Eligibility: All high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Step 2: Pitch Your Idea

Ten finalists will be selected in early November and invited to a virtual event to present their business ideas to a panel of judges from Seton Hall University on Friday, November 19. This event will be held via Microsoft Teams and will run from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (eastern). Judges are successful alumni entrepreneurs, corporate leaders and business faculty.

Step 3: Win Prizes and Recognition!

• 1st Place Winner: $2,500 cash prize. Plus $10,000 scholarship to attend Seton Hall University ($2,500 annually)
• 2nd Place Winner: $1,000 cash prize. Plus $6,000 scholarship to attend Seton Hall University ($1,500 annually)
• All other Finalists will receive a $4,000 scholarship to attend Seton Hall University ($1,000 annually)
• Audience Choice Award: $300. Audience members vote for their favorite student finalist. The winning finalist will be awarded the $300 Audience Choice Award.

Have Questions?
For more information and details, call Susan Scherreik, Founding Director, Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, at scherrsu@shu.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is the Stillman School of Business Pirates Pitch Competition for High School students?
The competition teaches high school students entrepreneurship basics and idea generation and recognizes and rewards students with outstanding entrepreneurial know-how.

Who is eligible?
Current high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or better.

How do students apply?
Complete and submit the application to the right.

How are winners selected?
An independent panel of judges reviews all entries. The finalists will be invited to present their business idea (or discuss a business they now operate) in five minute presentations to a panel of judges. The judges will score all finalists based on their written submission and oral presentations to determine a 1st and 2nd place winner.

When do students and high schools receive their awards?
Winners and awards will be conferred immediately following the presentations. A check for the cash prizes will be mailed to the first- and second-place winners. Scholarships to Seton Hall University will be provided to students upon admission to the University.

Latest News

• Seton Hall's High School Pirates Pitch Recognizes Entrepreneurs With $50,000 in Scholarships and Cash Awards 
  November 24, 2020 
  Competing for $50,000 in prizes, 11 innovative student entrepreneurs pitched their start-up concepts or fledgling businesses at the sixth annual High School Pirates Pitch, a Shark Tank-style competition hosted by the Stillman School of Business' Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 

• High School Entrepreneurs Invited to Compete for $50,000 in Seton Hall University’s Virtual Pirates Pitch Competition
  September 28, 2020
  High school students with a business idea are invited to participate in the sixth annual High School Pirates Pitch competition hosted by the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

• High School Entrepreneurs Awarded $50,000 in Cash and Scholarships in Pirates Pitch Competition
  December 4, 2019
  Ten talented finalists with start-up concepts and fledgling businesses faced off in Pirates Pitch Competition.

• 'Shark Tank' Pirates Pitch Awards Cash and Scholarships to High School Entrepreneurs
  December 6, 2018
  Students face off in 'Shark Tank' style competition sponsored by Stillman School and its Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.