Rising
Founders
Challenge
A Shark Tank–style stage for Charlotte high schoolers who have a real idea. Pitch live, win seed capital, and get the help to actually launch.
SEED POOL
How it
works
You bring the idea. We bring the stage, the judges, and the capital to move it forward.
Apply as a team
Charlotte-area high schoolers with a real idea — even an early one. No registered company required.
Get selected
Top applicants are chosen to pitch live on pitch day, in front of a judging panel of entrepreneurs and investors.
Pitch & win
Three teams split a $10,000 seed pool — $5,000, $3,000, and $2,000 — plus mentorship from idea to launch, including help actually registering the business.
About Me
My name is Amer Syed, and I’m a high school entrepreneur and the founder of an exotic and luxury car rental company. Through building my own six-figure business, I’ve gained hands-on experience in marketing, sales, customer relations, and navigating the challenges that come with entrepreneurship.
I created this Entrepreneurship Challenge to give other students the opportunity to turn their ideas into something real. I also wanted to provide students with access to resources, mentorship, and funding that they may not normally have access to at their age. My goal is to create an environment where young entrepreneurs can think creatively, compete, learn from one another, and gain real-world business experience beyond the classroom.
Apply now
Tell us about your team and your idea. Applications close October 1. Pitch day is TBA.