Pinellas Education

Next Generation Entrepreneurs

Next Generation Entrepreneurs Program

Have you ever thought about starting a business?

Want to learn what it takes to be an entrepreneur?

The Next Generation Entrepreneurs program is open to all Pinellas High School students. This opportunity allows students start new businesses, bring an innovative idea to market while working with business community mentors. The program emphasizes adding value to people’s lives and the steps involved to being a successful entrepreneur. Compete against other high school start-ups for $10,000 in cash!

Overview

Form a team or go solo to develop an innovative product or service
Work with successful Tampa Bay entrepreneurs to develop your idea into a viable business
Attend workshops to learn about what it takes to become a successful start-up
- Monthly virtual workshops and mentoring sessions begin in November
- Program will culminate with an awards ceremony on March 9, 2022
Pitch your business in a Shark Tank-style finale where $10,000 in prize money will be awarded to the top three winning teams:
- 1st Place – $5,000
- 2nd Place – $3,500
- 3rd Place – $1,500

Rules & Eligibility

Any 9th-12th Grade Pinellas County Public High School Student may participate including Pinellas Virtual and MyPCS Online. Students must have their parents sign the online consent form in order to participate.
Students may form teams or work solo; prize money awarded to teams will be divided evenly among students listed in the application
Winners must have a valid social security number and will be required to submit a W-9 to receive winnings.
Each team must submit a) a pitch deck and b) a business plan to be considered for the final event and prize money
No student may enter multiple times or participate in multiple teams
No children of the families employed by the Pinellas Education Foundation are eligible to win prize money.

The deadline to apply is October 31, 2021.

Interested in becoming an NGE mentor?

Want to help inspire the next young entrepreneurs? Through the involvement of business community mentors, this program allows business leaders to inspire students by sharing real world experience and fostering young talent.

Mentors:

Represent diversified disciplines
Participate in one or more of the four student workshops
Provide virtual mentoring through an online platform
Commit 2-10 hours per month from November through March

Want to get involved? Contact Alex Buell at 727-588-4816, ext. 2114 or Alex.Buell@pinellaseducation.org

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