Contest Overview
The “What’s Your Big Idea?” Entrepreneurship Contest dares you and a team of your classmates/friends from all AISD high school campuses to find an innovative and viable solution for one of the three provided challenges the City of Arlington is currently facing. Student teams of three (3) to five (5) members are asked to pitch their idea in a creative, 3-minute video presentation.
This contest is a fantastic resume builder, and it allows you to be imaginative and resourceful. You’ll learn a lot about the entrepreneurial process as well. Learn more about this contest at arlingtontx.com/BigIdea/HS.
How to Enter
The “What’s Your Big Idea?” Entrepreneurship Contest is open to students attending any of the Arlington ISD high school campuses in grades 9th-12th. To enter, students must:
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ORGANIZE YOUR TEAM
- Establish a team of three (3) to five (5) members. Teams smaller than three students or larger than five students will be disqualified.
- Team members do not have to attend the same school and grade level and ages may vary. All students MUST be enrolled in one of the nine (9) Arlington ISD high schools.
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CHOOSE A CHALLENGE TO SOLVE
- Click Here to view the full challenge description and make sure to select the challenge # your team is taking on in the entry form below.
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GET STARTED
- Brainstorm a new solution for the revealed challenge.
- Ensure each team member holds a specific responsibility in the collaborative process.
- Provide detailed solutions to the problem, including all the steps in the process.
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CREATE YOUR TEAM'S VIDEO PITCH
- Communicate your team's solution in a 3-minute video presentation to be attached to this entry form. Videos less than two minutes or over three minutes in length will not be evaluated.
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SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY
- Complete and submit your Entry Form by the deadline.
Student Deadline:
Friday, March 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CST
Judging
Entries will be evaluated solely on the information presented in the video. However, documentation of your team’s idea development and brainstorming is required. Evaluators will consist of entrepreneurs and community/business leaders from diverse disciplines. Please view the Team Checklist at www.arlingtontx.com/BigIdea to ensure each component of the challenge is met. Each entry will be evaluated on the following:
- Organization of team within outlined guidelines
- Innovation in solving the problem
- Collaboration among team members
- Team member participation
- Communication of the value proposition
- Communication of idea and its uses
- The viability of the idea presented
- Steps to effective implementation
One team from each challenge who has demonstrated the most innovative and viable solution to the challenge question will be selected as our TOP WINNERS!
Contest Timeline
- Ocotber 7 - Challenges Released
- March 14 - Entry & Video Pitch Due at 11:59 pm CST
- March 26 - Top Winning Teams Announced
- April 2025 - Recognition & Networking Event
Recognition
Win a fantastic prize package including gift certificates to local entertainment & restaurants. Also, your idea may be implemented as a city-wide program. What an AWESOME thing to have on your resume!
The TOP WINNERS and two guests will be invited to a private recognition ceremony in April 2025 prior to the elementary and junior high recognition ceremony.