Young Innovators Claim $1 Million in National Entrepreneurship Pitch

The competition, funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to mark its centennial, drew more than 3,700 video pitches from across the United States. Following a multi-stage review process by volunteer judges, the initial pool of 5,300 participants was whittled down to 60 finalists, who defended their concepts in final presentations on June 15 and 16.

Winners spanned diverse fields, including Siddharth Vikram, a seventh grader from Massachusetts who developed ReHappy, an app for physical therapy support, and Kayley Xu, an eleventh grader from California, who designed a high-precision wearable for medical auscultation. Other recognized projects included biodegradable coffee pods and ADHD-focused organizational tools. Beyond the six top prizes, organizers awarded $10,000 to 12 finalists and two $2,500 People’s Choice honors.

According to Ridgway White, president and CEO of the Mott Foundation, the event serves as a catalyst for building essential life skills. J.D. LaRock, head of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, noted that the process of pitching ideas helps students foster a mindset of resilience, regardless of whether they take home the top award.