Local Entrepreneurs Prepare to "Swim with Sharks" in the Local Pitch Competition
The Seneca CEO program, which aims to provide students with an opportunity to learn from local business leaders and develop workforce skills of problem solving, team work, self-motivation, and more, will be hosting its 5th Annual Local Pitch Competition on April 9 at Frank’s Hall at Tiffin University. Members of the community and representatives from local businesses are encouraged to attend. Breakout rooms for first-round judging will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the final selected pitches set to begin at 6:15 p.m.
During this event, the 14 student participants of Seneca CEO’s 2026 class will each have two minutes to pitch their individual business plans, developed throughout the year, to a panel of judges comprised of local business leaders. In this shark tank-like experience, these judges will provide feedback on each business’s vision, potential, and marketing. The Pitch Competition is designed to help students continue to refine their individual businesses in anticipation of bringing them to market at the local trade show on April 30th.
The students are forced to develop a concise pitch for their business that includes both the big picture vision as well as the little picture details, like revenue and cost projections that are delivered in a public forum. Students can experience the value of the preparation required for public speaking and the doors that can be opened by connecting with community members who can see and share the vision of these young entrepreneurs and provide them with timely advice from their own business experiences.
One of the many ways the Seneca County CEO program equips students with authentic, real-life experiences, the Pitch Competition is a unique challenge for these high school students to apply the lessons and skills they are learning daily as they visit local businesses, interact with community leaders, and develop their businesses.
To learn more information, visit our website, www.senecacountyceo.com.