A high schooler can win $2,500 in cash for a business idea written in 350 words or less. Seton Hall's Pirates Pitch closes this week, and you don't need a pitch deck, a company or a single sale to enter. A three-minute YouTube video works too.
The catch: the cash goes to two people. First place gets $2,500, second gets $1,000, and the rest of the "$50,000" headline is scholarships you can only use at Seton Hall.
Here's a hypothetical. Juniper Lantern (a made-up student, age 16) sells hand-painted phone cases to classmates. Her 350 words answer the four questions on the page: what problem it solves, how it makes money, who buys and who the competition is. That is the whole first round.
Also below: a $10,000 monthly grant for women founders, 25 grants of $5,000 in Georgetown, Texas, and up to $10,000 for Native American-owned tourism businesses in Montana.
Grants and pitch prizes are competitive. We opened every official page today. If a detail differs, trust the page.
1. Pirates Pitch Competition (high school students)
- Amount: $2,500 cash for first place and $1,000 for second, plus a $300 Audience Choice Award. First place also gets a $10,000 Seton Hall scholarship, second gets $6,000, and other finalists get $4,000, usable only if admitted to Seton Hall.
- Who qualifies: high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- The catch: finalists pitch live at Seton Hall in South Orange, New Jersey on Friday, November 20. The page says you can also watch virtually.
- Deadline: October 21, 2026 on the competition page. A September university announcement said October 20, so submit today to be safe.
- Official link: https://www.shu.edu/undergraduate-admissions/pirates-pitch-competition.html
2. Bronco Entrepreneur Challenge (Boise State students)
- Amount: a share of up to $20,000 in prize money, plus mentorship and a pass to the Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge semi-finals.
- Who qualifies: any Boise State student, undergrad or grad. Pick the Early Stage track for an idea or the Open Track for a more developed venture.
- The catch: the competition runs in person November 12 and 13 at the College of Business and Economics.
- Deadline: Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Mountain.
- Official link: https://www.boisestate.edu/cobe-se/bronco-entrepreneur-challenge/
3. Hey Helen Grant (women founders, nationwide)
- Amount: one $10,000 unrestricted cash grant each month.
- Who qualifies: women who are legal U.S. residents, 18 or older, owning at least 50% of a U.S. for-profit business with under $1 million in yearly revenue. Pre-revenue businesses can apply. You need a U.S. business bank account. Nonprofits are out.
- The catch: fee to apply is $15. One application stays on file for 12 monthly rounds.
- Deadline: October 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for this round. Later entries roll into the next one.
- Official link: https://visionaries.co/helen-grant/
4. Lifting Up Small Businesses Grant (Georgetown, Texas)
- Amount: $5,000 each for up to 25 businesses.
- Who qualifies: Texas businesses or nonprofits with a brick-and-mortar location in ZIP 78626, 78628, 78633, 78641, 78642 or 78660, fewer than 25 full-time employees and at least one year open. The owner applying must be 18 or older and own at least 51% (or be the largest owner).
- The catch: home-only businesses don't fit, past winners can't apply, the money can't pay old debt, and winners agree to a background check and to appear in promotion. Chamber membership doesn't count for or against you.
- Deadline: Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central. Winners hear in December.
- Official link: https://www.georgetownchamber.org/smallbusinessgrant/
5. Tribal Tourism Small Business Grant (Montana)
- Amount: up to $10,000 per business, with no match required. The state plans about 24 awards from $240,000.
- Who qualifies: enrolled citizens, 18 or older, of the 12 federally recognized tribes in Montana, starting or growing a tourism business. Categories include Native American Made in Montana products, rentals and tours, licensed outfitting and guiding, and food businesses like food trucks.
- The catch: you need proof of tribal enrollment, and you must set up a State of Montana Okta account before you can open the application.
- Deadline: Monday, November 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
- Official link: https://commerce.mt.gov/Business/Indian-Country/Indian-Country-Financial-Assistance/Tribal-Tourism-Small-Business-Grant
Before you apply
A real grant never asks for a gift card or your bank login to release money. Hey Helen lists its $15 fee on its own page; none of the others list a fee. If a caller asks for cash to unlock a grant, hang up.
If #1 fits you or a teen you know, send it today. It may close tonight.
Find more funding options in our guide to where to get business funding.
Verified on each official page: October 20, 2026 (2026-10-20).