Overview

The RootED futures annual high school Startup Competition is a free learning experience that challenges participants from around the world to conceive clear, innovative, and impact-focused pitch presentations. The event brings together talented and ambitious youth entrepreneurs who build and refine their pitches through extensive resources, expert workshops, and mentorship from world renowned judges.

Participants, competing individually or in teams of up to four, are tasked with developing creative and enticing presentations over 6 weeks to convince the jury panel to invest in their idea and sponsor them for a spot in the Live Final Round. Participating in the competition is a great opportunity to learn, collaborate, compete to win cash prizes, develop hands-on experience, and meet like-minded peers.

The business world is dynamic, opportunity-filled and ever-evolving — a landscape where visionaries reshape industries and ideas are transformed into impact. Are you ready to create something extraordinary?

The RootED futures annual high school Startup Competition is a free learning experience that challenges participants from around the world to conceive clear, innovative, and impact-focused pitch presentations. The event brings together talented and ambitious youth entrepreneurs who build and refine their pitches through extensive resources, expert workshops, and mentorship from world renowned judges.

Participants, competing individually or in teams of up to four, are tasked with developing creative and enticing presentations over 6 weeks to convince the jury panel to invest in their idea and sponsor them for a spot in the Live Final Round. Participating in the competition is a great opportunity to learn, collaborate, compete to win cash prizes, develop hands-on experience, and meet like-minded peers.

The business world is dynamic, opportunity-filled and ever-evolving — a landscape where visionaries reshape industries and ideas are transformed into impact. Are you ready to create something extraordinary?

The RootED futures annual high school Startup Competition is a free learning experience that challenges participants from around the world to conceive clear, innovative, and impact-focused pitch presentations. The event brings together talented and ambitious youth entrepreneurs who build and refine their pitches through extensive resources, expert workshops, and mentorship from world renowned judges.

Participants, competing individually or in teams of up to four, are tasked with developing creative and enticing presentations over 6 weeks to convince the jury panel to invest in their idea and sponsor them for a spot in the Live Final Round. Participating in the competition is a great opportunity to learn, collaborate, compete to win cash prizes, develop hands-on experience, and meet like-minded peers.

The business world is dynamic, opportunity-filled and ever-evolving — a landscape where visionaries reshape industries and ideas are transformed into impact. Are you ready to create something extraordinary?

Submit Entry

Submit Entry

Submit Entry

Submissions are open from Sep. 1 through Oct. 20. All competition rounds are held remotely.

Submissions are open from Sep. 1 through Oct. 20. All competition rounds are held remotely.

Team Registration

  • Students (grades 9-12) enrolled in high school (or home-schooled) for the current academic school year. There is no maximum amount of teams per high school institution.

  • Participants can compete individually or in teams of up to 4. Each participant may only be registered in one submission. Team submissions must be completed by a designated member and list the names of teammates.

  • Submissions that are incomplete or incorrect will not be eligible for Final Round selection. Teams are prohibited from contacting members of the jury.

  • Participants will be unable to submit entries after the official deadline of Oct. 20, 2025. No exceptions will be made.

  • Students (grades 9-12) enrolled in high school (or home-schooled) for the current academic school year. There is no maximum amount of teams per high school institution.

  • Participants can compete individually or in teams of up to 4. Each participant may only be registered in one submission. Team submissions must be completed by a designated member and list the names of teammates.

  • Submissions that are incomplete or incorrect will not be eligible for Final Round selection. Teams are prohibited from contacting members of the jury.

  • Participants will be unable to submit entries after the official deadline of Oct. 20, 2025. No exceptions will be made.

  • Students (grades 9-12) enrolled in high school (or home-schooled) for the current academic school year. There is no maximum amount of teams per high school institution.

  • Participants can compete individually or in teams of up to 4. Each participant may only be registered in one submission. Team submissions must be completed by a designated member and list the names of teammates.

  • Submissions that are incomplete or incorrect will not be eligible for Final Round selection. Teams are prohibited from contacting members of the jury.

  • Participants will be unable to submit entries after the official deadline of Oct. 20, 2025. No exceptions will be made.

Timeline and Awards

  • The competition will run from Sep. 1 through Oct. 26, 2025. All competition rounds are virtual.

  • Registered participants will be notified about expert Workshops and Seminars to guide them during their competition journey. Attendance is not required.

  • The 20 strongest presentations will be notified on Oct. 24, 2025 as they move on to the Final Round. All registered participants will receive a certificate of participation, and outstanding participants will receive an Honorable Mention (top 50%).

  • During the Live Final Round, the 20 remaining presentations will receive Gold, Silver, and Bronze distinctions corresponding to their ranking.

  • The prize pool will be allocated to participants following the Final Round. All rankings are final.

  • The competition will run from Sep. 1 through Oct. 26, 2025. All competition rounds are virtual.

  • Registered participants will be notified about expert Workshops and Seminars to guide them during their competition journey. Attendance is not required.

  • The 20 strongest presentations will be notified on Oct. 24, 2025 as they move on to the Final Round. All registered participants will receive a certificate of participation, and outstanding participants will receive an Honorable Mention (top 50%).

  • During the Live Final Round, the 20 remaining presentations will receive Gold, Silver, and Bronze distinctions corresponding to their ranking.

  • The prize pool will be allocated to participants following the Final Round. All rankings are final.

  • The competition will run from Sep. 1 through Oct. 26, 2025. All competition rounds are virtual.

  • Registered participants will be notified about expert Workshops and Seminars to guide them during their competition journey. Attendance is not required.

  • The 20 strongest presentations will be notified on Oct. 24, 2025 as they move on to the Final Round. All registered participants will receive a certificate of participation, and outstanding participants will receive an Honorable Mention (top 50%).

  • During the Live Final Round, the 20 remaining presentations will receive Gold, Silver, and Bronze distinctions corresponding to their ranking.

  • The prize pool will be allocated to participants following the Final Round. All rankings are final.

Benefits

  • An introduction to the opportunity-filled worlds of business and entrepreneurship

  • Network and collaborate with like-minded peers

  • Unparalleled opportunities for mentorship from world-renowned innovators

  • Compete for real cash prizes that will jumpstart your innovation

  • Earn certificates and awards that will enhance your résumé

  • It's a free, engaging, and hands-on learning experience

  • An introduction to the opportunity-filled worlds of business and entrepreneurship

  • Network and collaborate with like-minded peers

  • Unparalleled opportunities for mentorship from world-renowned innovators

  • Compete for real cash prizes that will jumpstart your innovation

  • Earn certificates and awards that will enhance your résumé

  • It's a free, engaging, and hands-on learning experience

  • An introduction to the opportunity-filled worlds of business and entrepreneurship

  • Network and collaborate with like-minded peers

  • Unparalleled opportunities for mentorship from world-renowned innovators

  • Compete for real cash prizes that will jumpstart your innovation

  • Earn certificates and awards that will enhance your résumé

  • It's a free, engaging, and hands-on learning experience

Submit Entry

Submit Entry

Submit Entry

Contact competition@root-edfutures.com for queries or concerns.

Contact competition@root-edfutures.com for queries or concerns.

Contact competition@root-edfutures.com for queries or concerns.

Deliverables

  • In teams or individually, develop a clear, innovative, and impact-focused pitch presentation that demonstrates your venture’s problem-solving potential, market opportunity, and scalability. Participants are encouraged to embrace creativity and to demonstrate professionalism.

  • Entries must be uploaded via the submission form with a public view link in order to be considered.

  • Presentations must contain between 2 and 20 slides maximum. Formal citations are encouraged (APA).

  • Presentations will be evaluated based on problem identification, market opportunity, business model, competitive advantage, visuals, and creativity.

  • All entries must be authentic and non-plagiarized. While use of AI generative tools is encouraged, it is important to note that these may generate inaccurate or incomplete content.

  • In teams or individually, develop a clear, innovative, and impact-focused pitch presentation that demonstrates your venture’s problem-solving potential, market opportunity, and scalability. Participants are encouraged to embrace creativity and to demonstrate professionalism.

  • Entries must be uploaded via the submission form with a public view link in order to be considered.

  • Presentations must contain between 2 and 20 slides maximum. Formal citations are encouraged (APA).

  • Presentations will be evaluated based on problem identification, market opportunity, business model, competitive advantage, visuals, and creativity.

  • All entries must be authentic and non-plagiarized. While use of AI generative tools is encouraged, it is important to note that these may generate inaccurate or incomplete content.

  • In teams or individually, develop a clear, innovative, and impact-focused pitch presentation that demonstrates your venture’s problem-solving potential, market opportunity, and scalability. Participants are encouraged to embrace creativity and to demonstrate professionalism.

  • Entries must be uploaded via the submission form with a public view link in order to be considered.

  • Presentations must contain between 2 and 20 slides maximum. Formal citations are encouraged (APA).

  • Presentations will be evaluated based on problem identification, market opportunity, business model, competitive advantage, visuals, and creativity.

  • All entries must be authentic and non-plagiarized. While use of AI generative tools is encouraged, it is important to note that these may generate inaccurate or incomplete content.

Prize Pool

Catalyzing innovation

First Place

$750

Second Place

$350

Third Place

$150

Judge Profiles

Founder and CEO, Listing Liftoff

Andrew Ingley

Andrew Ingley brings extensive experience in entrepreneurship, investment banking, and operational leadership. He is the Founder & CEO of Listing Liftoff, a real estate services company delivering fast, cost-effective cosmetic refreshes that help sellers and agents maximize property appeal. Previously, he co-founded Aligned Modern Health, scaling it to $25M+ in annual revenue with a 40% CAGR over 14 years, and earlier served as Vice President of Investment Banking at Raymond James, leading M&A and capital raises. He is also an active member of MATTER Chicago, a healthcare innovation hub. Andrew holds an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and a Finance degree from the University of Florida. His career reflects a focus on scalable growth, ethical leadership, and high-impact business building. As a judge, Andrew offers expertise in entrepreneurship, finance, real estate services, and healthcare innovation, providing participants with practical insights into building sustainable ventures.

Andrew Ingley brings extensive experience in entrepreneurship, investment banking, and operational leadership. He is the Founder & CEO of Listing Liftoff, a real estate services company delivering fast, cost-effective cosmetic refreshes that help sellers and agents maximize property appeal. Previously, he co-founded Aligned Modern Health, scaling it to $25M+ in annual revenue with a 40% CAGR over 14 years, and earlier served as Vice President of Investment Banking at Raymond James, leading M&A and capital raises. He is also an active member of MATTER Chicago, a healthcare innovation hub. Andrew holds an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and a Finance degree from the University of Florida. His career reflects a focus on scalable growth, ethical leadership, and high-impact business building. As a judge, Andrew offers expertise in entrepreneurship, finance, real estate services, and healthcare innovation, providing participants with practical insights into building sustainable ventures.

Founder and CEO, Vangst

Karson Humiston

Karson Humiston is a dynamic entrepreneur recognized for building companies at the intersection of talent, technology, and emerging industries. She is the Founder & CEO of Vangst, the cannabis industry’s leading hiring platform, which has connected thousands of professionals with opportunities in one of the fastest-growing markets in the U.S.,and raised over $29M from investors including Lerer Hippeau, Level One, and Snoop Dogg.

In 2024, she launched a stealth AI recruiting startup backed by M13 and Lerer Hippeau, designed to dramatically scale recruiter effectiveness. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree in Enterprise Technology, Karson has been featured in CNBC, TechCrunch, and Forbes and serves on the Board of YPO, contributing to a global community of business leaders.

She holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science from St. Lawrence University and is based in New York.

As a judge, Karson offers deep expertise in entrepreneurship, venture fundraising, and scaling disruptive startups, providing founders with valuable insight into building high-growth, investor-ready businesses.

Karson Humiston is a dynamic entrepreneur recognized for building companies at the intersection of talent, technology, and emerging industries. She is the Founder & CEO of Vangst, the cannabis industry’s leading hiring platform, which has connected thousands of professionals with opportunities in one of the fastest-growing markets in the U.S.,and raised over $29M from investors including Lerer Hippeau, Level One, and Snoop Dogg.

In 2024, she launched a stealth AI recruiting startup backed by M13 and Lerer Hippeau, designed to dramatically scale recruiter effectiveness. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree in Enterprise Technology, Karson has been featured in CNBC, TechCrunch, and Forbes and serves on the Board of YPO, contributing to a global community of business leaders.

She holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science from St. Lawrence University and is based in New York.

As a judge, Karson offers deep expertise in entrepreneurship, venture fundraising, and scaling disruptive startups, providing founders with valuable insight into building high-growth, investor-ready businesses.

Co-Founder and CMO, Aligned Modern Health

Bill Fiely

Bill Fiely is an accomplished marketing leader with extensive experience building and scaling consumer brands. He is the Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Aligned Modern Health, a leading health and wellness company in the Greater Chicago area.

Previously, Bill spent nearly a decade at PepsiCo, where he served as Director of Marketing and Marketing Manager, and held roles in innovation at SC Johnson and advertising at BBDO.

He holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a BA in Economics and History from Vanderbilt University.

As a judge, Bill brings expertise in brand development, integrated marketing, and consumer innovation, offering participants valuable insights into building strong and impactful brands.

Bill Fiely is an accomplished marketing leader with extensive experience building and scaling consumer brands. He is the Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Aligned Modern Health, a leading health and wellness company in the Greater Chicago area.

Previously, Bill spent nearly a decade at PepsiCo, where he served as Director of Marketing and Marketing Manager, and held roles in innovation at SC Johnson and advertising at BBDO.

He holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a BA in Economics and History from Vanderbilt University.

As a judge, Bill brings expertise in brand development, integrated marketing, and consumer innovation, offering participants valuable insights into building strong and impactful brands.

MD, French-American Chamber of Commerce Chicago

Stephanie Bodak

Stéphanie Jacques Bodak is a marketing executive with 25 years of global experience, having led high-impact brand growth at Nestlé and Kellogg, and served as Chief Marketing Officer at Smartbox Group, Europe’s leading gift experience company. She excels in multicultural team leadership, digital transformation, and strategic marketing for both large organizations and startups.

Stéphanie graduated from ESSEC Business School and is currently based in Chicago, where she drives business development as Managing Director at the French-American Chamber of Commerce.

As a judge, Stephanie brings deep expertise in brand strategy, digital innovation, and cross-cultural management.

Founder and CEO, SWEY

Alana Andrews

Alana Andrews is a Gen Z entrepreneur and founder of SWEY, the first natural sports drink created by Gen Z for Gen Z. Under her leadership, SWEY has earned national attention for its low-sugar, vitamin-rich formula, and mission-driven brand. Alana is also the founder of So Positive, an initiative impacting thousands of students with confidence-building programs and a 12-part book series; she is a 14-time published author whose work inspires youth and educators. Her newest venture, Ourspace, aims to foster authentic, community-focused conversation among Gen Z. Alana has spoken at major events—including the Women's Business Conference, EF Summit in Berlin, and State of the County Address—and serves as Sigma Squared Society Executive for New York City. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Economics at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. As a judge, Alana brings expertise in youth entrepreneurship, brand innovation, and mission-driven leadership, offering practical insights for authentic and impactful ventures.

Co-Founder and COO, Control Z

Jim McIntyre

Jim McIntyre is an experienced marketing and operations executive, currently serving as Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Control Z, where he is focused on advancing digital well-being through innovative technology solutions. Previously, Jim was Chief Operating Officer at Column Health, leading the expansion of community-based mental health care. He spent over a decade in leadership at The Kraft Heinz Company, overseeing growth for leading brands such as Oscar Mayer and A.1. Steak Sauce. Jim’s career also includes franchise development at Moe’s Southwest Grill and Planet Smoothie, and operational roles at major sporting events like the Olympics and World Cup. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. As a judge, Jim brings expertise in marketing, operational scaling, and brand innovation, offering guidance for building impactful and sustainable ventures.

Sep. 1: Submissions Open

Begin to explore the competition rules and navigate the suite of learning resources available

Oct. 5: Learning Session

Discover the fundamentals of entrepreneurship in a live lesson led by renowned Andrew Ingley

Oct. 13: Q&A Seminar

Refine your presentation and discover insights with direct mentorship from renowned Bill Fiely

Oct 20: Submission Deadline

The last day to submit your competition entries. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Oct 24: Judging Results

The 20 strongest presentations move on to the Final Round. Honorable Mentions are awarded.

Oct 26: Final Round

Participants answer judge Q&A in a live event. Winners are announced and prizes are awarded.

Register Now

Register Now

Register Now

Register to receive communications and secure a spot in our learning events.

Compete Worldwide, Submit Online

"Equipping students with the entrepreneurial mindset and skills to solve real-world challenges, innovate, and create lasting impact"

"Equipping students with the entrepreneurial mindset and skills to solve real-world challenges, innovate, and create lasting impact"

"Equipping students with the entrepreneurial mindset and skills to solve real-world challenges, innovate, and create lasting impact"

The Startup Challenge

"Develop a clear, innovative, and impact-focused pitch presentation that demonstrates your venture’s problem-solving potential, market opportunity, and scalability"

"Develop a clear, innovative, and impact-focused pitch presentation that demonstrates your venture’s problem-solving potential, market opportunity, and scalability"

"Develop a clear, innovative, and impact-focused pitch presentation that demonstrates your venture’s problem-solving potential, market opportunity, and scalability"

RootED futures High School Startup Competition

RootED futures High School Startup Competition

A free online challenge where students compete to win a $1,250 prize pool to launch their venture

A free online challenge where students compete to win a $1,250 prize pool to launch their venture

© 2025 RootEDfutures. All Rights Reserved.