The Vermont Pitch Challenge is a free annual entrepreneurship competition hosted by the University of Vermont (UVM), open to high school students in grades 10–12 from around the world. Students pitch innovative business ideas with positive community or global impact, competing for substantial prizes including full-tuition scholarships to UVM.
Prize structure:
- Grand Prize: Full UVM tuition and comprehensive fee scholarship awarded to each member of the winning team (contingent on UVM admission)
- 2nd & 3rd Place: $5,000 cash prize per team
- 4th & 5th Place: $1,000 cash prize per team
Competition format:
- Submit a written business proposal (3–5 pages under the rules), a YouTube video pitch (maximum 4 minutes), or an audio recording (maximum 4 minutes)
- Compete solo or in teams of up to 3 students
- Each member submits an application, while only the team captain uploads the proposal; an academic sponsor aged 21 or older is required
- Five finalists are selected and invited to pitch in person at UVM's Burlington campus on April 13, 2027
- Winners announced at the in-person finals event
2027 timeline:
- October 15, 2026: Submissions open
- February 15, 2027: Submission deadline; no cutoff clock or timezone stated
- March 2027: Five finalists selected in the timeline
- April 13, 2027: In-person final at UVM
The how-to guide has an isolated reference to finalists in March 2026, while its timeline gives March 2027. This difference remains visible in the official source.
Finalist costs: Rules allow up to $600 per student toward travel and lodging. Teams are responsible for remaining travel, accommodation and meals. The grand prize covers four years of UVM tuition and comprehensive fees for each winning member, conditional on first-time first-year admission; it does not promise room and board.
Note: The grand prize scholarship is contingent upon admission to UVM. Winning the Vermont Pitch Challenge does not guarantee automatic admission.
Checked November 4, 2026 against the official overview, how-to guide, rules and 2027 submission form. The 2027 announcement explicitly confirms entry is free.