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 pitch and wow our judges for a chance to win 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 compete individually or as a team to develop an original business idea and pitch it to a panel of judges.

Your idea can be a product, business, service, or technology concept. Whether you are already building something or just have an idea you are excited about, NBI: HS gives you the opportunity to develop your idea and share your vision.

Registration opens January 11, 2027, and closes March 19, 2027.

How the Competition Works

1

Round 1: The Pitch

Start with your big idea!

Develop an original product, business, service, or technology concept and create a video pitch to introduce your idea to our panel of judges.

Submission deadline: March 29, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET

Our judges will review all submissions and select the top teams to advance to the final round.

2

Round 2: The Virtual Final

Finalists will be announced on April 2, 2027.

Finalists will be invited to a virtual final via Zoom with our panel of judges.

Each finalist will have:

  • Up to 10 minutes to present their business idea
  • Up to 10 minutes to answer questions from the judges
  • No more than 20 minutes total for the final

We will provide preparation materials and guidance to help you get ready for your final presentation.

This is your opportunity to take your idea one step further, explain your vision, and show the judges what makes your idea stand out.

Ready to Share Your Big Idea?

Whether you're competing on your own or with a team, NBI: HS is your opportunity to think creatively, solve a problem, and turn your idea into something bigger.

Registration opens January 11, 2027.

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 three 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 3-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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Bring Your Big Idea to Life!

From our pool of finalists, the top three business ideas will receive cash prizes, generously sponsored by ZP Better Together, to help bring their ideas to life.

1st place – $500 cash prize + a waiver to attend a summer program!
2nd place – $300 cash prize
3rd place – $200 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: Open to deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
  • The Idea: Pitch an original, brand-new product, service, business, or technology concept as an individual or part of a team

Ready to Register?

The digital registration portal will officially go live here on January 11, 2027. Be sure to finalize your team (or individual entry) and project title before submitting your 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 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

Contact Us

If you have questions about eligibility, need technical support uploading your video, or want feedback on developing your business plan, please contact us or drop us a message using the form.

Email: ntidoutreach@rit.edu

Videophone: 585-286-4555

Text/FaceTime: 585-448-9651

Fax/Voice: 585-475-7695