National youth pitch competition brings live finals to downtown Flint

FLINT, Michigan — Young entrepreneurs from across the country will gather in downtown Flint this month for the final phase of the Mott Million Dollar Challenge, a national pitch competition for K-12 students.

Funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation as part of its centennial celebration, the competition drew more than 3,700 business ideas and social solutions from 5,300 young people nationwide. The top 60 ideas will be represented during the final two-day event, which will bring 82 students from 22 states to Flint, including 3 from Genesee County.

Following a semifinal competition on June 15, the students behind 18 finalist ideas will advance to the final competition.

Finalists will pitch their ideas before panels of judges in two categories: business ideas and social solutions. The competition is also divided into three grade levels: K-4, 5-8, and 9-12. Six grand prize winners will each receive $25,000, and all participating students will be eligible for two People’s Choice awards.

An awards ceremony will take place later that evening with a reception to meet the competitors, followed by the awards ceremony and winner announcements.

The challenge is administered by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship in collaboration with VentureLab, the Young Entrepreneur Institute, the Afterschool Alliance, Collaborative Communications, and the 50 State Afterschool Network.

Featured speakers include Ridgway White, president and CEO of the Mott Foundation; Dr. J.D. LaRock, president and CEO of NFTE; Amobi Okugo, athlete, entrepreneur, founder, and host; Mikaila Ulmer, founder of Me & the Bees Lemonade; and Mikayla Mazza, master of ceremonies.