When: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Where: Kent State University at Stark - Main Hall Auditorium
Stark Tank, based in Stark County, Ohio, aims to foster entrepreneurship among local high school students, encouraging them to develop their entrepreneurial skills while learning more about what it means to own your own business. This collaborative initiative involves Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio, Stark Education Partnership and Strengthening Stark, all working together to spark innovation in the county.
The program invites Stark County high school students with business or product ideas to pitch them to a panel of local entrepreneur judges for the chance to win up to $2,000.
*Submissions are due by 4pm on February 10th, 2026*
The High School: Established Teams competition features businesses that are established in nature, defined as a commercial enterprise with a business plan, staff (individual or team), and product or service model in production.
Any student attending a Stark County High School with a great entrepreneurial idea is eligible to participate in the competition.
RULES
Pitch competitors:
- May submit up to two (2) entries: one (1) as an individual and one (1) as part of a team.
- Must be high school aged and enrolled in a Stark County school or reside in Stark County (if homeschooled or enrolled in an alternative form of educational institution).
Submission eligibility and process:
- Districts can and are encouraged to have multiple individual student and team entry submissions.
- If submitting for the High School Edition: Established Teams, submissions must be established in nature, defined as a commercial enterprise with a business plan, staff (individual or team), and product or service model in production.
- Videos must be submitted 60-seconds in length and in an MP4 format.
- All requested information on the submission form must be completed to be eligible to compete.
The Stark Tank Committee has the sole discretion to determine if ideas and concepts are deceptive, insincere, offensive, immoral, or unethical and thus subject to disqualification for entry and the final competition.
The program invites Stark County high school students with business or product ideas to pitch them to a panel of local entrepreneur judges for the chance to win up to $2,000.
*Submissions are due by 4pm on February 10th, 2026*
The High School: Established Teams competition features businesses that are established in nature, defined as a commercial enterprise with a business plan, staff (individual or team), and product or service model in production.
Any student attending a Stark County High School with a great entrepreneurial idea is eligible to participate in the competition.
RULES
Pitch competitors:
- May submit up to two (2) entries: one (1) as an individual and one (1) as part of a team.
- Must be high school aged and enrolled in a Stark County school or reside in Stark County (if homeschooled or enrolled in an alternative form of educational institution).
Submission eligibility and process:
- Districts can and are encouraged to have multiple individual student and team entry submissions.
- If submitting for the High School Edition: Established Teams, submissions must be established in nature, defined as a commercial enterprise with a business plan, staff (individual or team), and product or service model in production.
- Videos must be submitted 60-seconds in length and in an MP4 format.
- All requested information on the submission form must be completed to be eligible to compete.
The Stark Tank Committee has the sole discretion to determine if ideas and concepts are deceptive, insincere, offensive, immoral, or unethical and thus subject to disqualification for entry and the final competition.
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Sponsorships for these events are critical for Junior Achievement to continue providing life-changing programs to students in our community. These programs are delivered at no cost to students. You can make a difference in the lives of these students by participating in this world-class event!
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