Have a great idea? Be part of the 2026 Pitch competition

The Madison College Pitch invites aspiring teen entrepreneurs to develop, refine and launch their business ideas, with a chance to win up to $500.

High school students will team up with college and industry pros, tap into invaluable resources, brainstorm ideas and build the confidence to pitch like a pro.  

Students must submit a video highlighting their business idea or product by March 30, 2026. Finalists will advance to compete in the live Madison College Pitch finale on May 1.

Oregon High School juniors Hadley Stang and Robert Daun won the competition in 2024 with their Vital Storm Drain project, which used eco-friendly painted murals to educate the public about waterway pollution and protecting natural resources. Hadley encourages other teens to participate: “I deepened my knowledge of marketing, sales and innovation, and gained real-world skills I’ll use in college and my career.”

The Pitch is hosted by Madison College’s Center for Entrepreneurship and attracts participants from across the 12-country district the college serves. The center offers workshops, advice from experienced entrepreneurs and annual business planning contests to students and the community.

Learn more about the Madison College Pitch competition.