Pirates Pitch Competition for High School Students
You're invited! Watch the Virtual Pirates Pitch Competition for High School Students on Friday, November 19 from 3 - 6 p.m.
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.
Congratulations to the winners of this year's competition!
First Place Winner: Daniela Palacios, Junior, Science Park High School, Newark, N.J.
Second Place Winner: Aryan Gupta, Junior, John P. Stevens High School, Edison, N.J.
Audience Choice Award: Fatou Yeli Kourouma, Junior, THINK Global School, New York City, N.Y.
Congratulations to this year’s finalists:
Dylan Fetterman, Sophomore, North Broward Preparatory School, Parkland, Fla. Startup Idea: Inflight Fitness Program
Allison Galiene, Senior, Lake Forest High School, Lake Forest, Il. Startup Idea: Brush Bestie
Aryan Gupta, Junior, John P. Stevens High School, Edison, N.J., Startup Idea: Eggsplain
Arjun Jayaswal, Junior, West Windsor-Plainsboro, High School North, Plainsboro, NJ. Startup Idea: Scantron
Pooja Kedia, Junior, Hillsborough High School, Hillsborough Township, NJ Startup Idea: The Trackerex Anxiety Tracking Watch
Garik Kazanjian, Junior, Park Ridge High School, Park Ridge, NJ Startup Idea: Companion Trade
Fatou Yeli Kourouma, Junior, THINK Global School, New York City, N.Y. Startup Idea: Seventh
Trevor Morrell, Junior, Elmira High School, Elmira, N.Y. Startup Idea: The Translator Earbuds
Daniela Palacios, Junior, Science Park High School, Newark, NJ. Startup Idea: Para KIDS!
Danielle Stanchak, Junior, Pascack Valley High School, Hillsdale, NJ. Startup Idea: Danielle’s Doggie Delights
The next High School Pirates Pitch Competition will be held in Fall 2022. Students will be able to submit entries starting in September 2022.
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:
- What problem does your product or service solve?
- How do you propose making money?
- Who are your customers and why will they buy your product or service?
- Who is your competition and how are you going to be better than the competition?
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
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Ten High School Entrepreneurs Virtually Face Off for $50,000 in Prizes and Scholarships During Pirates Pitch Competition
November 11, 2021
Ten young entrepreneurs hoping to launch their start up or fledging business will compete for $50,000 in prizes and scholarships. -
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.
High School Pirates Pitch 2020
