ENTREPRENEURS OF CHARACTER
YOUTH PITCH COMPETITION
Gold Mind is proud to host the Entrepreneurs of Character Youth Pitch Competition, offering high school students a hands-on opportunity to step into the world of entrepreneurship. As Nevada’s first competition of its kind, the program is designed to empower the next generation of American entrepreneurs by challenging students to develop innovative technology ideas with a strong focus on humanitarian impact. Participants will craft and present a compelling pitch grounded in research, critical thinking, and purpose.
Selected finalists will have the opportunity to refine their ideas through an exclusive pitch workshop, gaining valuable mentorship and feedback to strengthen their presentation skills and business concepts. This experience will culminate in a live pitch competition, where students will present their ideas before a panel of judges and a live audience.
The overall winning individual or team selected by judges will receive a cash prize of $2,500. The Audience Choice will be awarded $500. Winners may be invited to continue developing their idea with incubation support from Gold Mind.
2026 competition details
Please review competition details below:
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
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Develop an innovative, tech-enabled solution that addresses one of the critical human challenges below:
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Minimum 3 page pitch document or 10 page pitch deck including:
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Company or project name
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Problem you are looking to solve
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Clear innovative business idea or concept
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Market opportunity (target customer, market size (TAM/SAM/SOM), and why now is the right time)
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Product outline or prototype
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Business model
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Competition (what makes your idea special)
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Go-To-Market Strategy (next steps to start your company)
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Closing summary
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TEAM REQUIREMENTS
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Teams are allowed up to 4 participants within the same school
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All team members must be students enrolled in grades 8–12 in the state of Nevada to be eligible to participate
AWARDS
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Winning team selected by judges will be awarded $2,500 cash prize
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Audience choice will be awarded $500 cash prize
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Operations support from Gold Mind to further your idea, subject to mutual agreement
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Access to education
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Sanitation
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Affordable housing
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Homelessness
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Other (explain)
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Access to basic goods and services
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Food security
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Workforce development
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Access to healthcare
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Disease prevention and response
2026 competition timeline
NEXT DEADLINE
SUBMISSION DEADLINE - ROUND 1 | MARCH 20, 2026 - 5PM PST | 8PM EST
UPCOMING
SEMI-FINALIST INTERVIEWS - ROUND 2 | APRIL 3-17, 2026
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED | APRIL 24, 2026
FINALISTS - PITCH WORKSHOP (VIRTUAL) | APRIL 27-MAY 8, 2026
FINALISTS - LIVE PITCH COMPETITION AND WINNERS ANNOUNCED | MAY 16, 2026
Gold Mind was founded with a mission to ensure that all Americans have access to fundamental and essential needs. If you aspire to create a better world, we’d like to hear from you. If selected, a Gold Mind Mentor will reach out to begin your journey in creating a lasting legacy.
For each selected initiative, Gold Mind will provide up to six months of implementation-based support with benefits worth up to $250,000 in value.
Not sure on where to start?
Take a look below on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the United Nations
