_edited.png)
Save the Date
Sunday, May 31, 2026 (tentatively scheduled) for the 22nd Annual Competition!
Still Celebrating the 21st Annual
Teen Entrepreneurs' Business Plan Competition
Held on May 4, 2025
(Local teens competed in person, with others competed virtually on Zoom).
Hosted at
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Carson, California
​WHAT IS THE BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION ABOUT?
You have an idea, a product or service that will set the world on fire. Yet even with a great idea, entrepreneurs need to have a well-developed business description, marketing research, defined strategy and a thorough financial framework. Imagine you're on Shark Tank - how will you get the attention of the judges? You need more than an idea...
you need a solid business plan.
​
Project ECHO’s High School Entrepreneurs’ Business Plan Competition simulates the real-world process of entrepreneurs soliciting start-up funds from investors. On competition day, teams present their start-ups to a panel of judges who will collectively evaluate the quality of the written business plans, along with the presentations.
Cash start-up funds (that can be applied toward college) are awarded to the top three teams in each competition category. This year, the categories are Products, Services, and Social Enterprise. Remember, in every competition, not everyone can win, but as every successful entrepreneur knows, failure is an inevitable part of the road to success. This competition aims to not only crown the winners but to also help build a generation of successful business and community leaders who are willing to take risks.
HOW TO ENROLL IN THE COMPETITION
To enroll in Project ECHO's Business Plan Competition, schools can register their business/entrepreneurship class or club in the Launching ECHO program.
​
Individuals, under the age of 19 who are currently enrolled in high school, may register their business team independently of their school.
​​
​​
​​
​​​
Once registered, the on-boarding process will begin with an informational session with our program staff who'll share detailed information on how best to prepare for the competition.
​
Still have questions? Schedule an informational meeting with our program staff to have all of your questions answered.
CHECK OUT THE 2025 PROGRAM
.png)
The 2025 Business Plan Competition was Awesome!
With thanks to our event sponsor and host
The 2025 Hybrid Business Plan Competition was a Huge Success!
Project ECHO proudly hosted its 2025 Teen Entrepreneurs’ Business Plan Competition at California State University, Dominguez Hills—with additional teams joining virtually from across the country.
​
This year, nearly 400 students completed the Launching ECHO program, the entrepreneurial curriculum that prepares teens for the Competition. From there, 200+ students representing 35 high schools formed 52 business teams that brought their innovative ideas to life on competition day.
To ensure a fair and rigorous evaluation, Project ECHO engaged a powerful network of professionals:
-
69 judges reviewed and scored written business plans.
-
25 executive-level volunteers attended in person to evaluate live presentations.
​
The event also featured two inspiring entrepreneurial keynote speakers, giving students firsthand insight into what it takes to build and scale impactful ventures.
The day culminated with 10 winning teams receiving cash start-up funding ranging from $250 to $2,000—seed capital to help turn their visions into reality.
​
✨ Project ECHO continues to empower the next generation of innovators, providing teens with the skills, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.
It was standing room only inside CSU, Dominguez Hills Innovation Hall,
Teams with the highest combined scores from their written business plans and their presentations were deemed the winners!
2025 Overall Winning Team & First Place in Social Entrepreneurship
CauseConnect
Click the image below to watch their winning pitch!
2025 First Place in Services Category
TimeWise
Click the image below to watch their winning pitch!
2025 First Place in Products Category
Bliss Bathrobes
Click the image below to watch their winning pitch!
Congratulations to the
Jeff Weigel Road Warrior Award Winners!
