The Best Educators PREPARE.
PREPARE TEAMS FOR A PUBLIC PITCH COMPETITION OR HOST YOUR OWN
Preparing Teams
As an educator, you have the ability to prepare pitch teams however you choose- especially when working with innovators ranging from grades kindergarten to college. The following resources are provided at no cost and simply here to help you get started. We would love to see one of your teams submit the next pitch. If you prefer to hold a more local pitch activity- that is awesome too!
NextPitch public competitions are where entrepreneurial thinking meets the spirit of competitive sports. The online pitch competitions engage a range of school and community-based partners who are already preparing the next generation of innovators. Submit all of your teams or the winner(s) of your own competition to NextPitch to promote and raise funds for your program and the students you teach. You can even help winners from your prior competitions submit a pitch.
During NextPitch competitions, backers support educators too. Teams that are connected to educational programs include the program as a member that receives a financial contribution equal to that of an additional team member. If your program prepares five teams for a competition, then backers from all five teams will contribute to your classroom or program. (Wow!) Awards to educational programs are paid in full and not divided into savings accounts. These contributions support your work in cultivating innovation. Note: To ensure compliance with financial policies, payments are disbursed to the school building or educational program directly.
Whether gearing up for a public or privately hosted competition- teams need to be prepared. Educators have the power to light the entrepreneurial spirit up in learners of all ages. The connection of the pitch to your content area is related to the question that learners must pitch solutions for. Here are a few examples:
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Math: What is the next million-dollar business algorithm?
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English: How can we use persuasive language to influence social change?
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Science: What is the next step in the future of aviation?
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Career: How can educators best prepare youth for the real world of work?
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Community Building: How can our school be more inclusive of others?
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Check out the Pitch Catalogs below for more connections.
Is there a challenging question you can pose to your learners? Check out the lesson plans and challenge guides below for inspiration- Then get started with the fun of innovating! After your students share amazing solutions with you, help them submit pitch videos on NextPitch or host a private competition of your own.
YE's Innovation Activity Guide
High School Example
Elementary School Example
Pitch Challenge Catalogs & Templates
Prepare wExperts
Have you considered teaming up with other professionals? The following is a list of programs that help educators prepare youth and adults for competitions like NextPitch. Not only can you gear up for the pitch competitions many of them offer directly, but you can often submit the same pitch to NextPitch competitions.
Feature: Nepris Can Connect Your Scholars with Professional Coaches to Evaluate Their Pitch
Nepris
Nepris connects teachers and students with the right industry experts, virtually without having to spend much planning time or leaving the classroom while providing an effective way for companies to extend education outreach and create equity of access.
With nearly a 75-year history, DECA has impacted the lives of more than ten million students, educators, school administrators and business professionals since it was founded in 1946. Their strong connection with our organization has resonated into a brand that people identify as a remarkable experience in the preparation of emerging leaders and entrepreneurs. DECA’s programs and activities have constantly evolved as we use the latest technology and apply cutting edge educational research.
DECA is organized into two unique student divisions each with programs designed to address the learning styles, interest and focus of its members. The High School Division includes 220,000 members in 3,700 schools. The Collegiate Division includes over 5,000 members in 215 colleges and universities.
Youth Entrepreneurs (YE) Academy for Educators
Free innovative learning resources rooted in eight Foundational Values to engage your students and transform your classroom.
Here are a few awesome examples of what you will find on their site:
Mockups Activity Guide (Great Warm Up to A Pitch Competition)
Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG)
Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) is a state-based national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting young people of great promise. JAG is delivering the best results in its 40-year history, while serving youth who face significant challenges, to help them reach economic and academic success.
The JAG Board of Directors is made up of leading Governors, C-Suite Executives of the Fortune 500, and National Community Leaders. JAG State Affiliates deliver the data-driven, high-impact JAG Model program across 1400 middle schools, high schools, and other locations in their states.
Entrepreneurship KC
Youth Internships Grades 9-12: In-Person & Online
Learning experiences provided by Entrepreneurship KC are aligned to students' individual career plans and the goals identified by Kauffman's Real World Learning initiative. Students earn market value assets, including work placements (internships or projects) and entrepreneurial experiences (starting a business or launching an initiative).
Entrepreneurship KC is a collaborative partnership between Cherry and STARTLAND.
Amazing Local, National, and Global Resources for Educators
K12 Perform
Global Reach
School District & Building Innovation Support
K12 Perform founder, Brad Maclaughlin, is a retired superintendent of schools who loves to identify and foster innovative approaches to education. K12 Perform supports human-centered innovations in education. Brad builds and implements strategic plans with school district and building leadership that view the future of education through the lens of student engagement and industry/community connection. School leaders do not need another hero. They need a host. Systemic sustainable community change occurs in a large room with many people, and outlasts any one leader or program.
MECA Challenge by Startland
Pitch Competition Grades 9-12 and Adults: In-Person & Online
https://www.mecachallenge.com/
Startland runs a family of programs designed to create moments of impact through meaningful connections and purposeful conversations in and about Kansas City’s entrepreneurial community. Our MECA Challenge series is just one of the many ways in which we engage with our city's youth to teach Design Thinking while cultivating innovation within metro-area students. Pivoting to virtual events during the pandemic has allowed us to reach a wider group of students from all over the region and allow them to discover new ways to find solutions to everyday problems. Learn more at https://www.startland.org/real-world-learning
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship
Grades K-12: In-Person & Online
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) is a global educational nonprofit focused on bringing the power of entrepreneurship to youth in low-income communities. NFTE’s rigorous programs are taught by a highly trained Teacher Corps, and NFTE students are supported by a diverse Volunteer Corps drawn from the local community, including business leaders and entrepreneurs. Since its founding more than 30 years ago, NFTE has trained thousands of teachers and educated more than a million young people worldwide.
NFTE programs can be found in schools, churches, community centers, libraries, and other institutional settings—as well as online. We’re in 25 states across the U.S. and 10 countries around the globe.
JA Worldwide
Grades K-12: In-Person & Online
Working in over 100 countries, JA equips young people with the employment and entrepreneurship skillsets and mindsets they need to succeed. By building abilities and nurturing self-belief, JA prepares youth for the future of work, ensures they have the tools to be financially capable adults, and teaches them to think entrepreneurially. Supported by nearly half a million volunteers, and reaching more than 12 million students each year, JA is one of few organizations with the scale, experience, and passion to build a brighter future for the next generation of global innovators, entrepreneurs, makers, and managers.
Through JA’s real-world entrepreneurship programs—the longest-running in the world—students work as a team to develop an innovative product or service, finance their startup business, creatively market their product, and launch their careers as entrepreneurs or intrapreneur.
Venture Lab
Venture lab provides entrepreneurial learning programs that build courageous, resilient, can-do attitudes in the classroom, and beyond. Their offerings include:
Curriculum- Through fun, hands-on lessons and activities, students discover the entrepreneurial process, while gaining valuable skills and building confidence.
Online Learning- Teach entrepreneurship anywhere learning happens using these resources specifically built for remote, hybrid, and at-home learning.
Training- Explore the entrepreneurial mindset firsthand through an engaging and immersive professional development experience.
Programs & Events- Discover pitch events, mentorship programs, summer camps, and more to bring the youth entrepreneurship experience to your learners.