East Texas High School Idea Challenge

The East Texas High School Idea Challenge is the largest innovation competition in East Texas for high school students. The Idea Challenge is designed to encourage, support, and inspire the next generation of inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs with the goal of growing East Texas’ knowledge and economy.

All East Texas high schools are invited to submit teams of 1-3 students to participate in the Challenge. The winning students will receive a $5,000 scholarship and the runners-up will receive a $2,500 scholarship to study at The University of Texas at Tyler.

2025 ROUND 1

Round 1 will require all interested teams to submit a video of their elevator pitch. Judges will evaluate the entries based around the Lean Canvas (see below for more info).

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2025 Competition Dates

Sep 9, 2024	Elevator Pitch Submission Opens
Dec 8, 2024	Deadline to Submit Elevator Pitch Video
Dec 15, 2024	Announcement of Invitees to Compete
Apr 3, 2025	Competition at UT Tyler

How does it work?

The challenge will be conducted in two competitive rounds.

Round 1 will require all interested teams to submit a video of their elevator pitch. Judges will evaluate the entries and select the top pitches. The selected teams will be invited to present their idea based around the Lean Canvas (More Information).

Each video must meet the following criteria:

Between 60-90 seconds
Describe:
- The Problem you idea is addressing,
- the current Solutions in the market (if any),
- and why your Solution is better.

Round 2 will be held on The University of Texas at Tyler campus. Teams will present their Lean Canvas to our panel of judges. Judges will select the winner(s) from this round to receive their respective scholarships.

Who is Eligible?

The challenge is open to all high schools (grades 9-12) in the following counties: Anderson, Angelina, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Gregg, Hardin, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Houston, Hunt, Jasper, Jefferson, Kaufman, Lamar, Liberty, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Panola, Polk, Rains, Red River, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Trinity, Tyler, Upsher, Van Zandt, Wood.

Attend the Competition

Teachers or administrators, attending the event is a great opportunity to introduce your students to the world of entrepreneurship and network with other entrepreneurs. If you would like to arrange for a group of students to attend the event, please fill out the following form.