High School Track competition 

The Hawk Tank High School Track introduces regional high school students to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, business planning, and pitching ideas in a supportive, structured environment. 

Participants work in teams to develop a business plan, receive guidance from educators and business professionals, and present their ideas to peers and community judges.

hawk-tank-high-school

Business ideas from many industries are welcome, with limited exceptions. 

Who this track is for 

The High School Track is open to: 

  • Regional high school students currently enrolled in the Spring 2026 semester 
  • Individuals or teams of up to three students 
  • Each team must have a designated student team leader. Adult advisors or educators may provide guidance, but all submitted work must be created by students. 

Prizes and awards 

High School Track participants compete for scholarships and cash awards, granted to top-placing teams. 

First place (per team member) 

  • Up to $8,000 in total scholarships 
  • $500 cash award 

Second place (per team member) 

  • Up to $4,000 in total scholarships 
  • $250 cash award 

Third place (per team member) 

  • Up to $2,000 in total scholarships 
  • $100 cash award 

Scholarships may be awarded through: 

  • Fort Lewis College (tuition, fees, or housing) 
  • San Juan College (tuition, fees, or housing) 

Scholarship awards must be used within three years of high school graduation and require continuous enrollment at the awarding institution. Disbursement follows institutional policies. 

What you’ll do 

High School Track participants will: 

  • work as a team to develop a business idea 
  • create a written business plan 
  • practice presenting and receiving feedback 
  • pitch their idea to peers and community judges 

This track emphasizes learning, confidence-building, and exposure to entrepreneurship — not prior experience.

  • Eligibility overview
  • How to participate
  • Support and resources
Eligibility overview

To participate in the High School Track: 

  • Team members must be enrolled in the same high school during the semester of the competition. 
  • Individuals may be members of only one team. 
  • New ventures must be less than one year old and may not have received prior external funding. 
  • Businesses in the marijuana or alcohol industries are not eligible. 

Scholarship utilization requirement 

  • Winning teams must initiate use of Fort Lewis College or San Juan College scholarship awards within two years following high school graduation. Scholarships must be applied in consecutive academic years once usage begins. 

Register for Hawk Tank Submit your business plan

View events and workshops

How to participate
Support and resources

Participants have access to developmental support throughout the competition, including workshops, mentorship opportunities, and connections to regional business resources. 

Support may include: 

Hawk Tank Mentor Program 

  • Studio G — Arrowhead Center 
  • American Indian Business Enterprise Center (AIBE) 
  • The Big Idea @ San Juan College Makerspace 
  • Fort Lewis College Beta Alpha Psi 
  • San Juan College Small Business Development Center 
  • Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center 
  • Fort Lewis College Center for Innovation 

Workshop topics may include: 

  • Business plans 101 
  • Presenting your business idea 
  • Market analysis 
  • Revenue forecasting 
  • Costs, cash, and capital 
  • Accounting for startups 
  • Competition analysis 

Mentor participation is optional and based on availability. 

Guidelines for all participants

The following guidelines apply to all Hawk Tank competition tracks
Finals presentation requirement (all tracks)