REGISTER  FOR I.INVEST COMPETITION

COMPETITION DETAILS

To qualify, Youth Entrepreneurs (YEs) must meet the following criteria:

​

• AGE REQUIREMENTS: YEs must be between the ages of 13 and 19 during the application submission period.
   

• RESIDENCY: Open to all U.S. and Canada residents.
   

• APPLICATION SUBMISSION: Deadline to apply, March 1 - May 1. YEs will be required to submit the following: (1) Concept Profile (2) Executive Summary (3) Business Plan and (4) Pitch Video during rounds 1 & 2. To view a template for the Concept Profile, Executive Summary and Business Plan visit the i.Invest Knowledge Center. 
   

• APPLICATION FEE: $29 non-refundable application fee required. To pay, go here. To submit a financial hardship request, email mjackson@i-investcompetition.com.  
   

• SHOW & TELL: YEs are required to have a demonstrable product or service that was derived from their imagination and creativity (i.e. YEs must "show" how the product/service works and "tell" what problems the product/service will solve). 
   

• PARENTAL APPROVAL: Parental approval is required for YEs 16 and under (to view the Parental Requirements, click here).
   

• VERIFICATION: YEs must have their products and services verified by a teacher, business leader or entrepreneur before they can advance to the final round. Verifications are proof of the authenticity of the youth entrepreneur’s business idea. (To learn more, click here).

APPLICATION FEE

APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE:

• Online scoring​
   

• Business concepts evaluated by top industry leaders 
   

• Virtual coaching & one-on-one mentoring
   

• Connect with entrepreneurs from across the U.S.
   

• Win up to $10,000 in cash/in-kind prizes & seed funding 

CATEGORIES

CATEGORY 1

General Business Products & Services (13 – 15 year olds)

General Business Products & Services (16 - 19 year olds)

This category will include, but is not limited to, Apparel, Food, Arts & Crafts, Home & Personal Goods and Business Services.

CATEGORY 2

Technology Products  (15 – 19 year olds)

This category will include, but is not limited to, IT Hardware/Software, Apps and Mobile and other Devices.

CATEGORY 3

Socially Conscious Business Products & Services (13 – 19 year olds)

This category will include, but is not limited to, charitable organizations and clean/green products and services.

SCORING CRITERIA

Scoring Criteria will include:

ROUND 1 - JUDGE/COACH REVIEW (ONLINE SCORES & FEEDBACK PROVIDED)

• Concept Profile (includes 35+ questions. Ex. product/service description, target audience, marketing, etc.)

• Executive Summary (2 page max)

  • Mission Statement

  • Vision

  • Financial Summary

• Pitch Video (Initial Review)

  • Product Presentation

  • Showmanship

**SELECTION FOR GROUP COACHING SESSIONS**

**ASSIGN MENTORS**

ROUND 2 - JUDGE/COACH REVIEW (ONLINE SCORES & FEEDBACK PROVIDED)

• Business Plan  

  • Target Market

  • Competitors

  • Marketing Strategy

  • Financial (Pricing/Start-up Costs/Profits)

  • Social Consciousness/ Community Reinvestment

  • Vendors/ Suppliers

  • Team

• Pitch Video (Final Review)

  • Product Presentation

  • Showmanship

  • Wow Factor

​

ROUND 3 - JUDGES REVIEW (WINNERS SELECTED)  

• Virtual or Live Pitch Event

  • ​Entrepreneurial Spirit

  • Product Knowledge

  • Salesmanship

  • Wow Factor