$50,000 High School Entrpreneurship Competition Opens Registration

NEWARK, Del., Sept. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of Delaware Horn Program in Entrepreneurship announces the opening of registration for the fourth edition of the Diamond Challenge for High School Entrepreneurs, a real world venture concept competition offering two competitive tracks- business concept and social venture.

The former focuses on the development of for-profit business models; the latter on the development of social impact models. Each competition offers a $25,000 prize pool including funds for launching ventures or paying for higher education.

A video-based curriculum supports both competitions and teaches participants to gather evidence to validate their ideas and "build their businesses and social ventures like a scientist."

Registration and access to the curriculum are free at http://diamondchallenge.org

ABOUT PARTICIPATION. Participants work in teams to gain first-hand experience with: conceiving an idea for a new venture, testing ideas by talking to potential customers for validation, and pitching via written concept and presentation to a panel of judges.

OPEN TO ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. Students from around the world may participate if they are enrolled in a secondary school or educational program, have a team with 2-4 students, and have a teacher, parent or community member willing to serve as their advisor.

UNIQUE IMPACT.

• Evidence-based entrepreneurship. The Diamond Challenge provides an introduction to state-of-the-art practices for entrepreneurship, focusing on the use of evidence-based and lean startup methods.
• Real world engagement. Participants are encouraged to interview prospective customers to gather evidence, and receive feedback from practicing entrepreneurs, professionals and community leaders.
• MORE than starting small businesses. The "Venturing for Good" curriculum highlights the relevance of entrepreneurship to the development of sustainable solutions to societal and environmental problems.
• Pathways to higher education. The Diamond Challenge offers supplemental opportunities for earning college credit and awards prize money to top teams that can be used to pursue further education at ANY college or university.
• Connecting with like-minded peers. The Diamond Challenge hosts final round competitions during a 2-day Youth Entrepreneurship Summit facilitating the formation of lasting connections with like-minded peers.

Pictures and video from previous Diamond Challenge events are available online – http://diamondchallenge.org/about/press

Diamond Challenge creator, Dan Freeman, and supporter, Paul McConnell, founder & CEO, the McConnell Companies, are available for commentary.

SOURCE University of Delaware Horn Program in Entrepreneurship