The Next Big Idea™ - High School

SPONSORED BY

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Be the Next Top Entrepreneur!

Bring your innovation to The Next Big Idea: High School Edition! This exciting spin-off of RIT/NTID's annual college-level competition is open to all deaf and hard-of-hearing students in grades 9-12.

The challenge? Dream up an innovative product, business, service, or technology that tackles real-world problems or overcomes everyday challenges. Put together a killer pitch and wow our judges for a chance to win massive cash prizes!

Are you ready to showcase your creativity and change the world?

 

Registration opens January 11, 2027

Overview

The Next Big Idea: High School (NBI: HS) is back for 2027! Students can work solo or team up to develop an original business pitch. Registration opens on January 11, 2027, and runs through March 19, 2027.
Here is how the multi-round competition works:

1

Round 1: The Pitch

Develop a product, business, service, or technology concept and submit your initial video pitch to our panel of judges. Submissions close on March 19, 2027, at 11:59 PM ET. The judges will select the top teams to advance to the next level.

2

Round 2: The Virtual Interviews

Semifinalist teams will be announced in late March and invited to prepare for a virtual interview with our panel of judges. These interviews are conducted via Zoom and last no longer than 30 minutes. We will provide prep materials to help your team shine.

3

Round 3: The National Finals at RIT/NTID

The top finalist teams will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the RIT/NTID campus in late April 2027. You will deliver a comprehensive business pitch live to a large panel of expert judges, including representatives from ZP Better Together.

Bonus Experience: All individuals attending the final round on campus will be invited to explore the Imagine RIT Innovation & Creativity Festival during their stay!

Submitting a Pitch

Pitch Requirements

To enter the competition, your team must build and submit a video pitch that ticks the following boxes:

  • Length: No longer than five minutes.
  • Visuals: You must include a presentation slide deck using Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote, Canva, or Prezi.
  • Platform: Your video must be uploaded to YouTube as an unlisted video (see instructions below).
  • Submission: Email your YouTube link along with your presentation file directly to NTIDoutreach@rit.edu. 

What to Cover in Your Slide Deck

Your 5-minute presentation needs to clearly outline your idea and basic business plan by answering:

  1. What is your product and/or service?
  2. What real-world problem does it solve, or what is its main goal?
  3. Who is your specific target audience?

How to Upload an Unlisted YouTube Video

  1. Sign In & Start Upload:
    Sign into your YouTube account (or create one). Click the Create icon (video camera) in the upper right corner and select Upload video.
  2. Set Visibility to Unlisted:
    While your video is uploading, look for the Visibility or Save/Publish settings block. Select Unlisted. This ensures only people with your exact link (like our judges) can watch it. Do not choose 'Private'.
  3. Format Your Video Title:
    Name your video clearly. The title must include your Project Title followed by the first and last names of all team members.
  4. Copy & Submit:
    Click Save or Done. Copy the provided video URL and email it along with your presentation file to NTIDoutreach@rit.edu.

Prizes

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From our pool of national finalists, the top three business ideas will walk away with major funding from ZP Better Together to jump-start their innovations:

1st place - $3,000 cash prize
2nd place - $2,000 cash prize
3rd place - $1,000 cash prize

Registration

Who Can Enter?

  • Grade Level: Students must be enrolled in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade during the Spring 2027 semester.
  • Hearing Status: Contestants must have some form of hearing loss.
  • The Idea: Teams or individuals must pitch a brand-new, original product, business, service, or technology concept.

Ready to Register?

The digital registration portal will officially go live here on January 11, 2027. Make sure to gather your team members and brainstorm your project title before starting the application!

Registration Deadline: March 19, 2027

Required Forms

To complete your registration, download, sign, and return the packet of official youth forms.

 

How to Submit Your Completed Packet

Once you have filled out and signed all required documents, you can submit them to us using one of the three methods below. Please use "Next Big Idea: High School 2027" as your subject line or header.

 Email: Send scanned copies to NTIDoutreach@rit.edu. 

 Fax: Send to 585-475-2696

 Mail:
Rochester Institute of Technology
NTID Next Big Idea: High School
52 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY
14623-5604

Contact Us

The NTID Outreach team is here to help you succeed! If you have questions about eligibility, need technical support uploading your video, or want feedback on developing your business plan, please drop us a message using the form.