Form your team
Students form teams of 5 during their SparkLab cohort and choose a business idea to develop together.
The Competition
Win.
The grand finale of every cohort. Student teams pitch real businesses to a panel of working entrepreneurs and investors, competing for a $15,000 prize pool.
The prize pool
$15,000 up for grabs.
Cash prizes are distributed directly to winning team members.
2nd Place
1st Place
3rd Place
Prize amounts may vary by competition and sponsorship. Prize money is distributed directly to winning team members.
How it works
From classroom to competition stage.
The pitch competition is the culmination of an 8-week cohort. Teams that complete the program are eligible to compete.
Develop your pitch
Over 8 weeks, teams build a complete business plan, brand identity, financial projections, and pitch deck.
Present to judges
Teams present their pitches in person to a panel of working entrepreneurs, investors, and operators.
Compete for prizes
The top three teams split a $15,000 prize pool — distributed directly to winning students.
What judges look for
Judging criteria.
Teams are evaluated on the same dimensions a real investor would weigh.
Business viability
Is this a real opportunity? Is there an addressable market? Does the unit economics make sense?
Innovation & creativity
What makes this idea original? Why now? What is the team's unfair advantage?
Market understanding
Does the team know their customer? Have they validated the problem and the willingness to pay?
Presentation quality
Is the pitch clear, confident, and compelling? Can they handle hard questions?
2025 Cohort
Meet our winners.
The 2025 SparkLab pitch competition. Three winning teams, all from our partner schools in Michigan.
1st Place
$7,500
2nd Place
$5,000
3rd Place
$2,500
Want to compete?
The pitch competition is open to teams who complete a SparkLab cohort. Start with your school — or reach out and we'll point you at the next cohort.