Learn It. Plan It. Pitch It.
Learn It. Plan It. Pitch It. (LIPIPI) is a six-week program for middle and high school students designed to inspire them to develop, refine, and expand their product or service ideas into commercially viable ventures. Upon completion of the program, students will be selected to advance to the Pitch It Competition.
Pitch It Competition | April 8, 2025
Join us for the Second Annual Pitch It Competition on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Manistique Middle & High School. Five students will present their business ideas, competing for the opportunity to bring their ventures to life. This event is part of the Learn It. Plan It. Pitch It. entrepreneurial program, sponsored by Limestone FCU, MSU Extension of Schoolcraft County, and Upward Community Youth, Inc. All are welcome to attend and support the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Date/Time:
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 | 5:30 p.m.
Location:
Manistique Middle & High School, Community Room | 100 N Cedar St, Manistique, MI 49854
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Learn It. Plan It. Pitch It. (LIPIPI) is a six-week program for middle and high school students designed to inspire them to develop, refine, and expand their product or service ideas into commercially viable ventures.
Participants will gain the knowledge and skills needed to turn their ideas into viable businesses through workshops, one-on-one mentoring with industry leaders, and specialized pitch training. Upon completion of the program, six to ten students will be selected to advance to a pitch-style competition.
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During the Pitch It Competition, students will have 5-minutes to present their product or service idea with a total allotted time of 12-minutes for questions, answers, and feedback. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, with prizes of $250, $150, and $75, respectively. Additionally, judges will consider applications for investment in viable business ventures.
Pitch Line-Up
Meet the student entrepreneurs ready to take the stage at the upcoming Pitch It Competition.
- Leiona Deyo | 8th Grade | Northern Lights Skating Designs
- Lillian LaVance | 8th Grade | Lilly’s Gluten-Free Goods
- Kale Dillion | 8th Grade | Kale’s Keychains
- Leslie Connin | 10th Grade | Toe Beans Cat Café and Bookstore
- Lily Knaffla | 10th Grade | By Lily & Nature
2025 Judges
Meet the 2025 Pitch It Competition Judges.
- Alan Barr | Owner | Barr Team – Keller Williams Northern Michigan Peninsula Partners
- Amy Berglund | Director of Business Initiatives | InvestUP
- Dr. Kristina Hansen | Superintendent | Manistique Area Schools
- Travis Wood | Realtor and Entrepreneur
- James Studinger | Owner of JPStudinger Group | Founder of Tour Da Yoop, Eh
Sponsors
Questions?
Questions can be directed to Jill Connin with MSU Extension of Schoolcraft County at 906-286-3327 or conninji@msu.edu.
