Click here for Pitch Competition Details & Information

X-Squared High School

Pitch Competition

You’re Invited!

Saturday, January 24, 2026

The Leo H. Gerbus ’53 Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has formed a partnership with the non-profit Square 1 called:

“X Squared High School Pitch Competition”

After teams register for the event, Square 1 will visit each school once or twice a month to assist in preparing a team pitch video for submission. Teams consist of 1-3 students. Teams are then assigned to two divisions,

one for schools that have entrepreneurship classes and one division for schools that do not have classes.

The top 25 teams will then be invited to the main competition on Saturday, January 24^th from 7:30am – 2pm at St. Xavier High School. Each team will pitch two times, each time to a different group of judges.

The judges are comprised of a mix of college professors and successful entrepreneurs.

After the pitch presentations sessions all teams participate in a lunch / networking event where they can connect with the top colleges in the Greater Cincinnati Region.

After the lunch social the top 8 teams pitch again to all the preliminary judges. Winning teams from each division receive:

1^st Place - $3,000 Cash Award + a $1500 college scholarship should they choose to attend one of the participating universities.

2^nd Place - $1,000 Cash Award + a $500 college scholarship should they choose to attend one of the participating universities.

3^rd Place - $500 Cash Award

*In addition, the 1^st Place Teams will receive a 1-year Alloy Growth Lab Coworking membership.

2^nd Place Teams will receive a 6-month membership.

**AND - All Winning Teams will receive a SparkHaus Coworking Membership for 6 months.

Please join us in this exciting opportunity!

Participating Universities

The University of Cincinnati

The University of Dayton

Miami University

Mount St. Joseph University

Northern Kentucky University

The University of Thomas More

Xavier University

• The St. Xavier Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation student-operated coffee shops allow students to engage in experiential learning.
• Students in the Entrepreneurship in Action class manage all aspects of a small business venture. The Bean Machine, located in the Ellis Gym Lobby, and the Bomber Brew, located just outside the cafeteria, run “competing” ventures.
• Profits from the shops go toward financial aid for students to attend field trips in Cincinnati and beyond via the Explore Entrepreneurship group.

The Bomber Brew and Bean Machine coffee shops offer a platform for our students to develop their knowledge of business concepts and to hone their entrepreneurial skills.  Click here for a Bean Machine commercial.

Send an email to Mr. McDonald if you are interested in employment opportunities.

Open to all grade levels.

For more information email Coach Mac by clicking here

Servant Leadership Team 2024 - 2025 

FBLA High School helps students grow through business academic competitions, leadership development and other education opportunities.

The group meets once a month.

Email Mr. Timothy “Coach Mac” McDonald for more information.

tmcdonald@stxavier.org