Compete for prizes totaling $10,000!

For the 2012 Young Innovators competition, we’re once again highlighting the creativity and ingenuity of Michigan’s youth. But this year, we’re putting a creative twist on our traditional written business plan format by encouraging participants to submit their application materials in the creative format of their choice! This can be anything from a video pitch to a Prezi presentation to an audio recording - however they can best explain and illustrate their ideas! The creativity of their idea as well as their method of delivery will be taken into account, so we are looking for out-of-the-box thinking!

• 2012 Competition Guidelines
• Competition Flyer
• 2012 Judging Rubric

The 2012 competition has closed. Click here for a list of the winners!

For the 9th through 12th grade Young Innovators competition, we are encouraging students to submit their ideas as innovative business plans using the method and format of their choosing. This could include a written plan, a video, a podcast, a PowerPoint, Prezi, etc.

While the emphasis on the competition is on the articulation and passion around his or her idea, we also suggest that students explain basic elements of a business plan which include a brief marketing analysis, financial projections, and possible marketing and/or sales tactics. These items will go towards an overall "feasibility" score as noted in our judging rubric. 

Students will submit their ideas as business plans in one of three categories, which include:

• New - or improved - product, idea, or service: For this general category we are looking for innovative and feasible products, ideas or services. This can also include improvements upon existing products, ideas, or services.
• Social solution: Winners in this category will offer a smart, feasible, and inspiring solution to a social problem, be it in a local community or beyond.
• New App idea: Mobile device applications are one of the newest platforms that welcome innovative, life-improving solutions. We encourage participants to think of new and useful ideas that could potentially be developed into fully-functioning apps.

Please note: in all submissions, students should answer the following question: How does your product, service, or idea provide an innovative solution to a problem in your community/city/state/school?

The format you use and how you choose to explain your idea and basic business plan elements are entirely up to you!

Submissions are due midnight on Sunday, November 18th!

Want to know what the judges will be looking for? Check out our competition rubric!

And be sure to check out our competition guidelines before you submit!

Prize Information

Grand Prize (best overall submission) - $2500

Submissions are due midnight on Sunday, November 18th!

Prize Information:

• 1st Place Entry - $300
• 2nd Place Entry - $200
• 3rd Place Entry - $100

Important Info for both divisions:

For both competitions, we welcome teamwork and encourage student groups to participate. Students working in groups must select a student representative who can be responsible for disbursement of potential prize money and whose parent or legal guardian can sign a parental release form. Individual students under 18 years old must submit a parental release form signed by a parent or guardian.

Please see our Contest Guidelines page for details on submission requirements before submitting.