Entrepreneurship Challenge
Build a practical business idea that improves lives, strengthens incomes, or creates opportunity in your community.
WIN $500 CASH
towards the startup cost of your business
About The Contest
The Elevate Cents Entrepreneurship Challenge is a community-based initiative designed to encourage innovation, financial thinking, and practical problem-solving. Participants are invited to develop business ideas that they have an interest in, can improve lives, create income, solve local challenges, or strengthen economic opportunity in their communities.
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This challenge is rooted in the belief that entrepreneurship is not only about profit, but also about empowerment, sustainability, and the ability to create meaningful change. Through this program, participants will be able to apply ideas from financial literacy, budgeting, planning, and business strategy to build solutions that are realistic, impactful, and relevant.
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The challenge will feature two separate groups:
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Student Division: for high school students in Camiling Tarlac
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Adult Division: for farmers, farming families, and local agricultural entrepreneurs living in Camiling Tarlac
Whether the idea is a small business, a farming improvement, a service, a product, or a community solution, the goal is the same. It’s to turn strong ideas into practical opportunities.
Who Can Join
Student Division
Open to high school students in Camiling Tarlac. Participants may join individually or in teams. The top 3 groups will move to the final round.
Student Division Requirements:
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Open to currently enrolled students living in Camiling Tarlac
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Individuals or teams of up to 5 are allowed
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Must submit an original idea
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The business idea can be new or early-stage, but it should not already be a large established business
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Participants may join individually or as a team
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Teams must choose one team leader as the main contact person
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Each participant or team may submit only one entry
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Entries must focus on a realistic and practical solution, not just a vague concept
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The idea may be for profit or social enterprise, but it should include a clear plan
Teams who advance to the finalist round are required to attend the in-person pitch, to be held in Camiling Tarlac on Monday, July 13, 2026
Adult Division
Open to farmers, farming families, agricultural workers, or local community members with business ideas connected to farming, food, rural enterprise, or community livelihoods. Participants may join individually or in teams. The top 3 groups will move on to the final round.
Adult Division Requirements:
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Open to individual farmers, farming households, agricultural groups, or small local rural entrepreneurs
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Individuals or teams of up to 3 are allowed
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Must submit an original idea
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The business idea can be new or early-stage, but it should not already be a large established business
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Participants may join individually or as a team
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Teams must choose one team leader as the main contact person
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Each participant or team may submit only one entry
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Entries must focus on a realistic and practical solution, not just a vague concept
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The idea should preferably connect to agriculture, food systems, farm income, productivity, waste reduction, processing, local trade, or related community needs
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Simple, practical, low-cost ideas are welcome
Teams who advance to the finalist round are required to attend the in-person pitch, to be held in Camiling Tarlac on Monday, July 13, 2026
Join The Challenge
Finalist Round
If you make it past the First Round, you will be selected for the Finalist Round. Finalists will receive written feedback on their first submission one week prior to the Finalist round.
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Finalist Deliverables
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Revised business concept
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Improved financial plan
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Short presentation/pitch deck
Live final pitch (5 minutes) to be held in Camiling Tarlac on Monday, July 13, 2026
Entry Guidelines
Entries consist of a First Round and Finalist Round.
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Entries must be original and created by the participant or team
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Ideas should be realistic, practical, and relevant to the community
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Participants may propose a product, service, farm-based business, processing idea, technology solution, or social enterprise
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Entries should clearly explain how the idea works and why it matters
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Teams are encouraged to focus on solutions that are affordable, scalable, or sustainable
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Use of local knowledge, local resources, and community understanding is strongly encouraged
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Participants do not need to have already started the business
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Participants do not need advanced business knowledge to join
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Clear thinking, practicality, and impact matter more than polished design
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Submissions may be made in English or the local language, depending on what is most accessible for participants
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The total length of each submission (without including the pitch deck) cannot exceed a total of 10 pages in length
Prize: The winner of the competition in both divisions will receive a $500 cash prize, to be used for the startup costs of their business.
Scoring Criteria
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Problem relevance — Does the idea solve a real problem?
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Practicality — Can this business realistically work?
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Financial thinking — Does the participant understand costs, revenue, and sustainability? Does the participant have a plan for how to raise the startup costs assuming they don’t win the cash prize? Is the financial plan realistic and sustainable?
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Impact — Will this improve income, opportunity, or quality of life?
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Creativity — Is the idea thoughtful and innovative?
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Presentation clarity — Is the idea explained clearly?
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AI — Zero Tolerance for any use of AI