MADISON COUNTY – An upcoming contest will test the creative aptitude that high school students have for innovations in business.

“It is almost time for the 2023 beEntrepreneurial or beE High School Idea Competition, and the application deadline is fast approaching,” Rigved P. Joshi said. Joshi works as Director of Invention to Innovation Center or I2C at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

The I2C at UAH is presenting the beE initiative. The free competition is open to all high school students in Alabama.

The beEntrepreneurial or beE event is an idea competition for high school students. beE’s mission is to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit within the youth, encouraging them to conceive, cooperate and bring fresh, innovative concepts to life, Joshi said.

“To score highly, it’s important to think of an idea that proposes a solution to the consumers’ need that can be concretely realized and implemented. You have to show to the judges that you know what are the steps needed to practically turn your idea into a concrete product/service,” Joshi said.

Teams of talented students have the support of brilliant teachers, and I2C mentors tutor contestants to compete in this business idea challenge to win cash and prizes.

To participate in the beE High School Idea Competition, students must apply on the beE website, be-entrepreneurial.org/2023-bee. The grand finale date is Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Officials will provide finalists with presentation timeslots closer to the event.

Students will use Zoom for the online contest. The competition’s byline is “Innovate With Passion.”

“The cost is free. The prize pool is $3,000,” Joshi said. “The application deadline is Dec. 4.”

“This year’s competition is fierce with schools from the entire state vying for the top spot,” Joshi said. “Our judges are ready, and we are excited to see some great ideas from the brightest high-schoolers in Alabama. We encourage parents and teachers to get involved, support and encourage students to ideate and win from a $3,000 prize pool.”

“We encourage teams to contact us for mentoring. It’s a great way to engage with an expert who can help you fine-tune your pitch and answer questions as needed,” Joshi said. Mentoring sessions are ongoing, and organizers will conduct sessions remotely until Dec. 6.

Sponsors to-date for beE are accenture, EXIGER, INTUITIVE, MAYNARDNEXSEN and sinequa.

For more information, email i2c@uah.edu or visit be-entrepreneurial.org/2023-bee.