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 Join us for the 21st Annual
High School Entrepreneurs' Business Plan Competition

May 4, 2025
 

 

WHAT IS THE BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION ABOUT?

You have an idea, a product or service that will set the world on fire. Yet even with a great idea, entrepreneurs need to have a well-developed business description, marketing research, defined strategy and a thorough financial framework. Imagine you're on Shark Tank - how will you get the attention of the judges? You need more than an idea...

you need a solid business plan.

Project ECHO’s High School Entrepreneurs’ Business Plan Competition simulates the real-world process of entrepreneurs soliciting start-up funds from investors. On competition day, teams present their start-ups to a panel of judges who will collectively evaluate the quality of the written business plans, along with the presentations. 
 
Cash start-up funds (that can be applied toward college) are awarded to the top three teams in each competition category. This year, the categories are Products, Services, and Social Enterprise. Remember, in every competition, not everyone can win, but as every successful entrepreneur knows, failure is an inevitable part of the road to success. This competition aims to not only crown the winners but to also help build a generation of successful business and community leaders who are willing to take risks.

HOW TO ENROLL IN THE COMPETITION

To enroll in Project ECHO's Business Plan Competition, schools can register their business/entrepreneurship class or club in the Launching ECHO program. Individual students may also sign up independent of their school. For more information, please submit the form below. 

Once registered, the on-boarding process will begin with an information session with our program staff who'll share detailed information on how best to prepare for the competition. 

Still have questions? Schedule an informational meeting with our program staff to have all of your questions answered.

Check out the 2024 Event Program! 

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The 2024 Business Plan Competition was Awesome!

With thanks to our event sponsor and host

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The 2024 Hybrid Business Plan Competition was a Huge Success!

Project ECHO was proud to host its 2024 Business Plan Competition in-person at California State University, Dominguez Hills in addition to Zooming in a dozen teams from various states. More than 225 teens from 16 different high schools formed 62 business teams that participated in this year's competition. 78 judges helped read and evaluate written business plans, while 25 judges participated in the live event.  The competition was fierce, the scoring close, and at the end of the day 9 teams walked away with cash start-up funds in varying amounts from $2,000 to $250.

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It was standing room only inside CSU, Dominguez Hills Innovation Hall
Teams with the highest combined scores from their written business plans and their presentations were deemed the winners!

2024 Overall Winning Team & First Place in Social Entrepreneurship
Outside Connection
Click the image below to watch their winning pitch!

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2024 First Place in Services Category
TiGo
Click the image below to watch their winning pitch!

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2024 First Place in Products Category
Vena
Click the image below to watch their winning pitch!

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Congratulations to the
Jeff Weigel Road Warrior Award Winners!

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1st

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