Launch League

Barberton, Ohio

A business competition for Barberton.

Ten awards, ten categories, free to enter. Pitch an idea for a real business or a real fix for your community, and get written feedback from people who run businesses. For ages 13 and up.

The awards

10 awards, $1,000 each

The goal is $10,000 in awards. Each award is funded by a sponsor, and one is confirmed only once its sponsor has agreed. No sponsors are confirmed yet.

  • Community Impact Award

    An idea that makes Barberton a better place to live: a service, a program or a fix for a problem your neighbors have.Ages 13+ · $1,000 · Sponsor open

  • Main Street and Local Business

    A shop, service or market that could open on a real Barberton street, or a new use for an empty storefront.Ages 13+ · $1,000 · Sponsor open

  • Food and Hospitality

    Restaurants, food products, catering and events: ideas that give people a reason to come downtown and come back.Ages 13+ · $1,000 · Sponsor open

  • Manufacturing and Making

    A product made here, from a prototype in a school shop to a plan for a real production run. Barberton has a long history of making things.Ages 13+ · $1,000 · Sponsor open

  • Skilled Trades and Construction

    Contracting, fabrication, site services, or a better way to do the work that keeps buildings and machines running.Ages 13+ · $1,000 · Sponsor open

  • Health and Wellness Innovation

    Ideas that improve health, safety or well-being for people in your community, from a fitness program to a new kind of care.Ages 13+ · $1,000 · Sponsor open

  • Tech Innovation Challenge

    An app, a tool, a website or a smarter way to use technology for a customer who needs it.Ages 13+ · $1,000 · Sponsor open

  • Creative Ventures Challenge

    Turn a creative passion into a sustainable business: art, music, media, design, performance or crafts.Ages 13+ · $1,000 · Sponsor open

  • Green Future Initiative

    Ideas that help the environment and create sustainable communities, from reuse and repair to cleaner ways of working.Ages 13+ · $1,000 · Sponsor open

  • Young Entrepreneur Spotlight

    For young people with a big idea in any field. Expert feedback and recognition for the best entry from a student under 18.Ages 13-17 · $1,000 · Sponsor open

One winner per category. An entry competes in the one category you choose.

How it works

A real pitch, judged properly

  1. Enter for free

    Choose a category and build your entry. No fees, and no equity taken in your idea.

  2. A written pitch and three short videos

    Elevator Pitch (60 seconds or less); Plan Briefing (up to 5 minutes); Slide Walkthrough (up to 10 minutes, screen-shared slides).

  3. Scored on a published 100-point rubric

    The rubric is public before you write a word: Problem & Opportunity, 20; Solution, 20; Customer & Market Understanding, 15; Feasibility, 15; Business / Sustainability Model, 15; Impact & Potential, 10; Communication & Pitch Quality, 5.

  4. Written feedback on every complete entry

    Win or not, you get your judges' feedback in writing, so you leave knowing what was strong and what to do next.

  5. Awards

    The dates for each step are being set, and will be posted here and emailed to the list first.

Be first to know

Get the dates when they are set

Students, parents, teachers, and local businesses that might sponsor or judge: all welcome.

For example: you are a student, a parent, a teacher, or a business that might sponsor or judge.

We use this only to reply. See our privacy page.

One email when the details are set. Students ages 13 and up; parents may sign up for anyone under 18.

For local businesses

Put your name on an award

Sponsoring an award is $1,000 and names a category for Barberton. Judges read entries and write feedback to the student. Say so on the form above and I will be in touch.

While you wait

Start the free work now

Everything here is free and works for any student in Ohio.

Questions

Straight answers

Who can enter?
Anyone 13 or older. Young people under 18 enter with a parent or guardian's knowledge. The Young Entrepreneur Spotlight is for entrants 13 to 17.
Does it cost anything?
No. It is free to enter, Launch League takes no equity in any idea, and every complete entry gets written feedback from a judge.
When is it?
The dates are being set. Join the list on this page and you will hear first, by email.
How are the awards funded?
The goal is 10 awards of $1,000, $10,000 in all. Each award is paid for by a sponsor, and an award is only confirmed once its sponsor has agreed. No sponsors are confirmed yet.

Questions about the competition: write to me.