MADISON – Attention, all business-minded teenagers! Department personnel at the University of Alabama in Huntsville or UAH are preparing for the fifth annual be-Entrepreneurial or beE Pitch Competition for area high school teams.

beE is an entrepreneurship and idea competition open to high school students. UAH’s Innovation Center or I2C strives to empower the next generation of high-school entrepreneurs to research, collaborate and deliver new ideas.

These student teams will have support of capable teachers and mentors and will compete in a challenge of business ideas to win cash from a $3,000 prize pool.

“We are excited to begin our annual be-Entrepreneurial pitch competition for teams in area high schools,” Rigved P. Joshi said. Joshi is I2C Director at UAH.

Any student enrolled in an Alabama high school can compete. The 2022 beE will accept applications from teams with students from different schools if all participants are enrolled in high school and if the team has a sponsor. “It’s time to up your ante y’all!” Joshi said.

This year’s beE will be conducted 100 percent online. “No more bus rides, crazy logistics and long waits. Simply apply, get shortlisted and participate online in the Grand Finale in the comfort of your classroom or home,” Joshi said.

Joshi needs teachers and mentors to “get the word out and encourage your students to participate and apply. Assist student teams with the beE application.” Teachers can contact Joshi for mentoring or if questions arise. “Help your students win,” he said.

Students can submit applications with ideas by the Dec. 7 deadline. The Grand Finale date is Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Semi-finalists and finalists will receive presentation time-slots from organizers closer to the event.

Students will use Zoom for the online contest. The competition is free. To apply for the contest, a link is available at be-entrepreneurial.org/2022-bee.

Mentoring sessions are ongoing, and organizers will conduct sessions remotely until Dec. 12.

For more information, email rpj0001@uah.edu, or visit uah.edu/i2c or be-entrepreneurial.org.