PITCH 2025:
High School Video Contest for Founders & Builders

PITCH 2025:
High School Video Contest for Founders & Builders


PITCH 2025:
High School Video Contest for Founders & Builders


About

Pitch is a national video contest for high school founders and builders. Submit a 90 to 120 second pitch video that explains your problem, solution, demo or prototype, and next milestone. Our goal is to spotlight emerging talent, give practical feedback, and connect finalists with real operators and mentors.


Key Dates

  • Submissions open: now

  • Deadline: 11:59 PM PT on January 1, 2026

  • Finalists announced: mid January 2026

  • Winner showcase: late January 2026


Eligibility

  • Current U.S. high school students ages 14 to 18 in the 2025 to 2026 school year

  • Solo or team of up to 5

  • One submission per team

  • Original work only


How to Submit

  1. Email: hello@fourfourstudio

  2. Subject line: 2025 Pitch Video Contest

  3. Body text: team name, school, city and state, names and ages of team members, contact email for the team lead, short 100 word summary of the idea, confirmation that a parent or guardian will sign the consent and release if selected as semifinalists

  4. Attachments: your pitch video file or a private link with download access

  5. File naming: Pitch_TeamName_School_CityState.mp4


Video Requirements

  • Length: 90 to 120 seconds

  • Format: MP4, 1080p, 24 to 30 fps, max 200 MB

  • Structure: hook in first 3 seconds, problem, customer, solution and why now, demo or prototype, traction or validation, clear ask or next milestone

  • Audio and visuals: clear voice, captions recommended, screen capture for demos when relevant

  • Music: original or royalty free only, provide source or license proof

  • AI policy: disclose if AI tools were used for code, assets, or narration


Judging Criteria (100 points)

  • Problem clarity: 15

  • Solution quality and differentiation: 20

  • Evidence of validation or traction: 20

  • Storytelling and clarity of video: 20

  • Team capability and roadmap: 15

  • Ethics and impact: 10


Prizes

  • 1st Place: 500 dollars

  • 2nd Place: $250

  • Third place $100 dollars

  • Cash awards are paid to the team lead with parent or guardian co sign if under 18. Payment by ACH or prepaid card within 30 days of winner announcement.


Rules

  • Parental or guardian consent required for all finalists before any public posting

  • Teams retain all IP and ownership. By submitting, you grant FourFourStudio a non exclusive, royalty free license to display, edit for length, and republish your submission with attribution for marketing and educational purposes

  • Content must be safe and legal. No dangerous prototypes, and no claims that cannot be reasonably verified

  • No copyrighted music, footage, logos, or assets without written permission

  • Entries must be received by the deadline. Late or corrupted files may be disqualified

  • Conflicts of interest: judges must recuse themselves from entries where a conflict exists

  • FourFourStudio reserves the right to disqualify entries that violate rules or community standards and to make final decisions on eligibility and awards

  • Taxes or reporting on prizes are the responsibility of recipients

  • By entering, you agree to the published judging criteria, timeline, and these rules


Permissions and Releases

  • If selected as a semifinalist or finalist, teams will be asked to sign consent and media release forms. For minors, a parent or guardian must sign

  • Any person appearing prominently in the video must consent to be filmed


Contact

Questions about rules, eligibility, or technical specs: hello@fourfourstudio