The PFI Challenge 2025
About The Challenge:
The PFI Challenge supports aspiring young business leaders in the areas of Sports and Entertainment, Branding and Media, Technology and AI, Merchandising and Storytelling with the PFI Difference-Making Core Values.
More than a pitch competition — the PFI Challenge is a business accelerator designed to help students turn their ideas into real-world businesses. Through expert training, professional storytelling, and real investment opportunities, students don’t just pitch a business — they start one.
PFI Challenge entrants will compete for scholarships, business funding and other financial incentives. All Challenge entrants will receive face-to-face training based on a PFI Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurial Development Curriculum that will cover important entrepreneurial, financial and branding subjects and provide them with the necessary tools to make concrete business plans and achieve tangible financial milestones. PFI Challenge Winners will each be awarded between $1000.00-$2500.00 in initial business venture funding by no later than May 10th 2025.
Challenge requirements:
- In-person entrepreneur participation at all PFI Financial Literacy Training Workshops
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Allowing all training and activities to be recorded by the PFI media team
- Agreement to air individual Business Venture Stories on the PFI Challenge YouTube Channel
- Allowing individual Business Venture Stories to be a part of a future PFI Challenge documentary and movie franchise
Who Can Apply?
- Middle school, high school, or college students (3.0 GPA or higher)
- Focus areas: Sports & Entertainment, Branding & Media, Technology & AI, Merchandising & Storytelling
- You must be ready to share your story on camera, collaborate with mentors, sponsors, and investors, and participate in financial literacy training.
Why Join?
- Access expert training & real-time feedback
- Build your professional brand story
- Receive professional media coverage for your business
- Compete for seed funding between $1000.00 to $2500.00
- Top businesses may receive follow-on investment and mentorship from PFI Capital
- Lifetime access to the PFI Alumni Network with future training, networking, and opportunities
Live Training Schedule
| Date | Live Topic |
|---|---|
| March 05 | What is an Entrepreneur & Building a Team |
| March 26 | What is a Business Storyline? |
| April 09 | What is a Fundable Venture? |
| April 23 | Defining Your Brand |
| May 07 | Business Plan & Budget |
| May 21 | Final Session and Wrap Up! |
Self Paced & Make Up: We will use our training platform to provide additional tools to build a business that works in the real world.
Location: Kranz Middle School — Wednesdays at 6:30 PM
Parents Welcome
Parents of minor applicants must sign a consent form and are invited to the final pitch event.
Sponsors Make It Possible
Sponsors play a dual role:
- Business Mentors: Working directly with students to guide their growth
- Investors: Some sponsors may invest directly into student businesses through PFI Capital