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The Big Idea Competition
Location:
Virtual, with the final event typically hosted by Northern State University in South Dakota
Cost:
Free to enter
Contest Date:
Final competition takes place in early December
Application Deadlines:
Entries are due by October 31, 2025
Eligibility:
Open to high school students in grades 9 through 12 across the United States, including public, private, and homeschool students. Students may enter individually or in teams of up to three.
The Big Idea Competition invites high school students to develop and pitch innovative business ideas. Participants submit a written business concept of up to 1,075 words along with an optional video pitch. The competition emphasizes real-world entrepreneurial thinking and offers a total prize pool of over $35,000 in cash and scholarships. Finalists are selected to present their ideas to judges, with top entries recognized for creativity, feasibility, and market potential.
Please note: This information is compiled from publicly available sources and may change from year to year. Dates, locations, fees, and other details are subject to updates—please verify all information directly on the official competition website before applying.
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