be-Entreprenurial’s idea contest open to teens

MADISON – The second annual “be-Entrepreneurial” or beE pitch competition is set for Oct. 25 for teenage teams in the area.

The beE organization is an entrepreneurship and idea competition for high school students. In addition, be-Entrepreneurial receives support from R.l.S.E., a North Alabama networking initiative and pathway for innovators and entrepreneurs to connect and build community success.

The Invention to Innovation Center or I2C and College of Business Administration at the University of Alabama in Huntsville are presenting the event on Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the I2C. The event is free to participants, but all students and teachers must register and submit an idea.

The beE group empowers the next generation of high school entrepreneurs to conceptualize, collaborate and deliver new ideas, according to an organization spokesperson. Teams of talented north Alabama teenagers will compete in a business idea challenge to win cash and prizes of $3,000 and more.

The youth have backing from skilled teachers, individual business professionals and I2C community mentors. Anyone can attend, even without an idea to submit.

The be-Entrepreneurial contest involves four steps:

* Step 1 — Start early and contact contest organizers about your interest. On the beE website, beentreprenuerial.org, click “Register Now.” All students and a school representative must register.

* Step 2 — To inform organizers about the idea’s scope, click “Submit Idea Now” to submit an application on be-entreprenuerial.org. Complete this step early.

* Step 3 — Contact the school representative to schedule times for two meetings with the team and experts in mentoring sessions. The sessions’ goal is to help the team with ideas and pitch presentation.

* Step 4 — The Grand Finale on Oct. 25 allows the team to visit UAH and present at the Invention to Innovation Center. Participants from other schools and invited guests also will attend. A panel of judges will evaluate the ideas in semifinal and final rounds to determine winning teams.

For more information, visit be-entrepreneurial.org.