Pirates Pitch Competition for High School Students
The 2025 Competition was held on November 21, 2025
The competition took place in person in Jubilee Hall on our South Orange campus. Students, faculty, teachers and families were all invited to attend.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Pirates Pitch for High School Students Competition
- 1st place: Samantha Farrugia, a senior from Colts Neck, NJ, attending Saint John Vianney High
School
Business Idea: Shield Her - 2nd place: Justin Deng, a sophomore from Morganville, NJ, attending High Technology High School
Business Idea: Thermo Track - Audience Choice Award: Anna Lau, a sophomore from Staten Island, NY, attending Staten Island Technical Hish
School
Business Idea: Snugshi - Honorable Mention: Monica Raina, a sophomore from Syosset, NY, attending Jericho High School
Business Idea: RateRight
Congratulations to the Top 10 Finalists:
-
Hans Patel, junior from River Edge, NJ (Bergen County Technical High School)
Startup Idea: TickerSphere
Hans Patel created TickerSphere, a gamified investing platform that lets users track stocks, read market news, and compete in live investing challenges. The platform combines financial literacy with interactive gameplay to help young investors build confidence and make smarter decisions. TickerSphere makes learning about investing fun and accessible. -
Logan Roskow, senior from Waverly, NY (Waverly High School)
Startup Idea: MoveMate
Logan Roskow’s MoveMate is a smart, modular storage and moving system featuring stackable, lockable containers with RFID or QR tracking. Users can catalog and locate items through a mobile app, simplifying moving, downsizing, or reorganizing. MoveMate merges practical technology with eco-friendly design for a safer, more efficient moving experience. -
Morgan McNabb, senior from Beachwood, NJ (Toms River South High School)
Business Idea: Safeguard Band
Morgan McNabb developed Safeguard Band, a customizable allergy alert bracelet that uses a dynamic QR code linked to a digital profile. Restaurants and caregivers can access up-to-date allergy information instantly, reducing the risk of accidental exposure. The bracelet combines safety and style, offering peace of mind for individuals with food allergies. -
Anna Lau, junior from Staten Island, NY (Staten Island Technical High School)
Business Idea: Snugshi
Anna Lau’s Snugshi is a heat-based plush that helps relieve menstrual cramps safely and comfortably. Its rechargeable USB-C heating system offers consistent warmth without overheating, providing both physical relief and emotional comfort. Snugshi blends wellness and thoughtful design into a discreet, supportive solution for teens. -
Aarush Bolla, junior from Edison, NJ (John P. Stevens High School)
Business Idea: Upryt
Aarush Bolla created Upryt, a smart posture-support shirt with sensors that vibrate when the wearer slouches. Designed for students and professionals, Upryt promotes healthier sitting habits and reduces back strain. The wearable is comfortable, washable, and integrates posture correction seamlessly into daily routines. -
Jacob Organ, junior from Park Ridge, NJ (Park Ridge High School)
Business Idea: Dry Socks
Jacob Organ’s Dry Socks are triple-layer waterproof socks that keep feet warm, dry, and comfortable in wet conditions. They are ideal for open-toe footwear, outdoor activities, and rainy environments. Combining durability, comfort, and practicality, Dry Socks solve a common everyday problem. -
Monica Raina, sophomore from Syosset, NY (Jericho High School)
Business Idea: RateRight
Monica Raina’s RateRight is an AI-powered platform where kids and families can safely rate and review movies. The app empowers children to share opinions while helping parents select age-appropriate films. RateRight provides a fun, interactive space for young viewers to engage with movies meaningfully. -
Lucia Montoya-Leyva, junior from Berkeley Heights, NJ (Union County Academy of Information Technology)
Business Idea: NeuroNav
Lucia Montoya-Leyva’s NeuroNav develops micro-robotic technology for targeted treatment of neurological disorders. By delivering therapies directly to affected areas of the brain, it reduces side effects and improves recovery. NeuroNav aims to enhance patient care with precise, innovative solutions for conditions like Parkinson’s and ADHD. -
Justin Deng, sophomore from Morganville, NJ (High Technology High School)
Business Idea: ThermoTrack
Justin Deng created ThermoTrack, a wearable patch that changes color when the body reaches unsafe temperatures. The patch alerts athletes and coaches to prevent heat-related illnesses during sports or outdoor activities. ThermoTrack provides a simple, affordable safety solution for high-heat environments. -
Samantha Farrugia, senior from Colts Neck, NJ (Saint John Vianney)
Business Idea: Shield Her
Samantha Farrugia’s Shield Her is a nail polish topcoat that detects common drink-spiking substances. When applied discreetly, it changes color if a beverage is tampered with, blending safety with style. Shield Her empowers young women to enjoy social events with confidence and protection.
Here's How You Can Participate:
Step 1: Submit Your Idea
Submit an original business idea that, in 350 words or less, describes an innovative product or service that you would like create. Or, you can tell us about a business you've already launched! You also have the option of creating an unlisted YouTube video pitch of up to three minutes in length. Please send us the link to the video, and please do not put any restrictions on who can watch since multiple judges will review.
Be sure to answer the following questions:
- What problem does your product or service solve?
- How do you propose making money?
- Who are your customers and why will they buy your product or service?
- Who is your competition and how are you going to be better than the competition?
Eligibility: All high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Step 2: Pitch Your Idea
The 2026 Pirates Pitch for High School Students Competition will be held in November 2026. We will start accepting applications in August 2026 through October 2026. Please check back in August 2026 for more details.
Step 3: Win Prizes and Recognition!
- 1st Place Winner: $2,500 cash prize. Plus $10,000 scholarship to attend Seton Hall University ($2,500 annually)
- 2nd Place Winner: $1,000 cash prize. Plus, $6,000 scholarship to attend Seton Hall University ($1,500 annually)
- All other Finalists will receive a $4,000 scholarship to attend Seton Hall University ($1,000 annually)
- Audience Choice Award: $300. Audience members vote for their favorite student finalist. The winning finalist will be awarded the $300 Audience Choice Award.
Latest News
- Ten Teens Compete for $50K in Seton Hall Pirates Pitch
Ten young innovators from around the world pitch their startups at Seton Hall’s Pirates Pitch 2025, competing for $50,000 in prizes and scholarships during Global Entrepreneurship Week. - Incredible Opportunity for High School Entrepreneurs!
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Are you a high school student interested in starting your own business? Enter this "Shark Tank" style competition for a chance to have your idea recognized!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Stillman School of Business Pirates Pitch Competition for High School
students?
The competition teaches high school students entrepreneurship basics and idea generation
and recognizes and rewards students with outstanding entrepreneurial know-how.
Who is eligible?
Current high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
How are winners selected?
An independent panel of judges reviews all entries. The finalists will be invited
to present their business idea (or discuss a business they now operate) in five minute
presentations to a panel of judges. The judges will score all finalists based on their
written submission and oral presentations to determine a 1st and 2nd place winner.
When do students and high schools receive their awards?
Winners and awards will be conferred immediately following the presentations. A check
for the cash prizes will be mailed to the first- and second-place winners. Scholarships
to Seton Hall University will be provided to students upon admission to the University.
Apply Now
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Have Questions?
For more information and details, contact Susan Scherreik, Founding Director, Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, at [email protected].
