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Students on stage with trophies.
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How to Participate

Each participating team may include 1-4 students. Students must be enrolled in a participating high school for the duration of the competition.

In 2026, registration is open to high schools in the following counties: New Hanover.

Each team is required to have either a teacher serving as the team advisor. 

Register For the Competition

LEARN SOMETHING NEW

This competition revolves around the concept of a lean startup. Students and advisors should become familiar with this concept before constructing deliverables such as the executive summary and rocket pitch.

CREATE YOUR OWN IDEA

The core business idea must originate from one or all of the team members (no franchises or core ideas from parents, adults, etc.). No ideas that are actually in business and making revenues of greater than $10,000 per year are permitted.

SUBMIT DELIVERABLES

Make sure your rocket pitch and executive summary satisfies all the requirements outlined in Competition Criteria and are submitted by the deadline.

  • Videos are to be no longer than 1 minute
  • Written proposals are to be 2-3 pages long

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