FINAL TEAMS ANNOUNCED FOR X-SQUARED HIGH SCHOOL PITCH COMPETITION PLUS
Partners Square1 and St. Xavier High School to host competition on January 27th.
Cincinnati, OH. (Dec. 20, 2022) — Square1 and St. Xavier High School have selected the teams for their X-Squared High School Pitch Competition Plus on January 27, 2024. Selected from over sixty applicants from nearly two dozen schools, the final thirty-five teams will meet with Square1 to develop their final pitches prior to the competition.
These teams consist of 76 students from nine high schools around the Greater Cincinnati area: Covington Catholic High School (one team), DePaul Cristo Rey High School (one team), Ignite Institute (one team), Notre Dame Academy (four teams), Ursuline Academy (four teams), Beechwood (two teams), Harrison High School (nine teams), Saint Xavier (twelve teams), and Ross High School (one team).
The final event will consist of two rounds of competition, followed by a keynote speaker, Jeff Berding Co-CEO FC Cincinnati. The thirty-five selected teams will present an eight-minute pitch for their business idea to a panel of judges. Student teams will be divided into two divisions: those whose schools offer entrepreneurship classes (ENTPs) and those whose schools do not (non-ENTPs). The three best ENTP teams and the two best non-ENTP teams will be selected to pitch their ideas again in front of all teams and judges to compete for first and second place prizes. Between rounds, students will attend a professional development workshop hosted by St Xavier centered on the value of a stand-out resume and being well prepared for a college and job interview.
The first place team will receive $1500 cash team prize and the second place team will receive $500. Both teams will also receive a matching team college scholarship should each member choose to attend one of the participating colleges: Miami University, University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, Mount St. Joseph University, Northern Kentucky University, Thomas More University, and Xavier University.
About Square1
Square1, located in Covington, Cincinnati, and Grant County, seeks to uncover, educate, support, and inspire emerging entrepreneurs and leaders who ultimately create opportunities for themselves and others by overcoming the many obstacles life poses. This mission is achieved through the NEXT program, which works with high school students to teach how innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset can change their life’s trajectory. Schools and students throughout Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati participate in this region-wide innovation and work skills education and development program.
