Your child has bright ideas.

This challenge is their chance to shine.

The Mott Million Dollar Challenge is a national pitch competition where kids and teens from across the U.S. can share a new business idea or creative solution that makes life better in their communities.

Here’s how it works.

It’s simple, fun and designed for kids and teens grades K-12.

Kids can enter solo or with a small team.

They can participate on their own or with a group of up to three friends or classmates. Teamwork can make the dream work, but one kid with one idea can make a big impact too.
They brainstorm and dream up an idea.

They’ll think about a product, invention or solution that could make life better for people around them. Anything that improves people’s lives in school, home, business or community life is fair game.
They record a short video pitch.

Kids explain their idea in a 30-90 second video. No fancy editing or effects required. Their words and their creativity matter most.
You can help them submit their entry.

All submissions are uploaded through a quick online form by February 27, 2026.

This competition connects directly to skills that last a lifetime.

It lets them flex creativity and build confidence.
It helps them practice problem-solving in their community.
It gives them skills that last far beyond this competition.
It shows them their ideas make a difference — and that adults are listening.

Because the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation knows something big about your child...

Their brilliance knows no bounds.

Prizes & Celebration

Kids and teens throughout the competition will win prizes with a total prize pool of $1M. Finalists will be invited to an epic celebration in Flint, Michigan, in June 2026.

Important Dates

Submissions accepted from December 15, 2025 to February 27, 2026. Finalists are announced in Spring 2026!

Idea Guidance

The best ideas are ones that make life better — in big or small ways. Examples of a pitch could include:

A product or service that solves a daily problem
A solution that helps people in their community
A creative invention that fills a gap

Submit ideas in one of two categories:

Business Challenge: Create an idea for a new business. This could be a brand-new product, a better way to solve an everyday problem, or a creative twist on something that already exists.
Social Challenge: Propose a solution to a social or community issue. Explain the problem, why it matters and how your idea would help fix or improve it.