SouthCoast Student Entrepreneurs Shine at JA Pitch Competition

Junior Achievement Company Program Pitch Competition

On May 22, 2025, students from across the SouthCoast took the stage at UMass Dartmouth to present their innovative business ideas at the Junior Achievement Company Program Pitch Competition. The event brought together eight student-run companies from five local schools, offering them the chance to pitch their startups to a panel of esteemed judges made up of local entrepreneurs and community leaders.

This pitch competition is part of the JA Company Program, which primarily empowers high school students to launch and run their own businesses over the course of the school year. For the first time this year, a middle school team also joined the competition, demonstrating that entrepreneurial thinking can begin even earlier. From ideation to execution, these students took on roles in marketing, operations, finance, and leadership — gaining real-world experience in how businesses are built from the ground up.

A Year of Hard Work and Innovation

Throughout the academic year, each team developed a company from scratch. Students were tasked with:

• Defining company roles and responsibilities

• Identifying and researching target markets

• Developing a business plan and financial strategy

• Collaborating to navigate challenges and pivot when needed

Their hard work culminated in this high-stakes pitch competition where each team had just five minutes to present and two minutes for Q&A with the judges. The event not only celebrated their business acumen but also showcased the power of youth entrepreneurship across the region.

Representing SouthCoast Talent

The participating teams included:

• Purpose, Psych 2 Soul, and Plant Perfection from Durfee High School

• Mental Warriors from Whaling City

• Maya from Nativity Prep

• Tiger Central and A Million Ways from Taunton High School

• Keychain Madness from New Bedford High School

From mental health advocacy and sustainability to community-based product design, the business ideas reflected the diverse passions and talents of SouthCoast students.

This Year’s Top Pitch Winners

Four outstanding teams were awarded trophies at the 2025 event:

• 🥇 1st Place – Keychain Madness, New Bedford High School

• 🥈 2nd Place – Tiger Central, Taunton High School

• 🥉 3rd Place (tie) – Maya Water Bottle, Nativity Prep

• 🥉 3rd Place (tie) – Psych 2 Soul, Durfee High School

Each team demonstrated exceptional creativity, teamwork, and entrepreneurial skill in front of an engaged audience and local business leaders.

A Big Thank You

We extend our deepest gratitude to all the schools that participated, and to the community judges who generously gave their time to encourage and support these young innovators.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to the Junior Achievement staff whose dedication and leadership made this event possible:

• Jeffrey Pelletier, President/CEO
  📧 jeffrey.pelletier@ja.org | 📞 (508) 264-0586

• Paige Gooden, Company Program and Education Manager
  📧 paige.gooden@ja.org

• Edith Colón, Director of Partnerships
  📧 edith.colon@ja.org

A special spotlight goes to Edith Colón, who created the JA Company Program that now empowers hundreds of students each year to dream big and discover what it means to be an entrepreneur. Her vision continues to shape future leaders across Southern Massachusetts.

Real-World Learning with Real Impact

The JA Company Program goes beyond the classroom. Through mentorship and guidance from volunteer coaches and local professionals, students gain valuable insights into teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership.

Want to learn how you can support student entrepreneurs? Explore our volunteer opportunities or become a JA Coach and help lead the next generation of changemakers.

For a national view of JA’s impact and curriculum, visit the JA USA Programs Overview to see how we’re shaping students across the country.

Looking Ahead

As the 2025 competition wraps up, we’re already looking ahead to next year’s group of future innovators. Events like this prove that when students are given the tools and encouragement to think creatively and lead boldly, they rise to the challenge.

If you’re inspired by what these students accomplished, we invite you to connect with us and help shape the next generation of entrepreneurs across Southern Massachusetts.