SAVE THE DATE · EOT'S FLAGSHIP EVENT
Pitch For Ya Life 2026
Part pitch competition. Part celebration. One unforgettable night spotlighting the next generation of founders.
- Date
- Time
- 6:00 PM ET
- Location
- New York City
A pitch can change a life.
At Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow, we help young people transform their ideas into real businesses, and their ambition into economic opportunity.
Through entrepreneurship education, mentorship, and hands-on business development, our youthpreneurs gain the confidence, skills, and community they need to build what matters. Together, they have already generated more than $214,000 in business revenue.
On Saturday, December 5, they will take the stage in New York City to pitch their businesses, share their visions, and compete for funding at our annual pitch competition and celebration.
Every pitch represents more than a business idea. It represents months of hard work, personal growth, and a young entrepreneur choosing to bet on their future.
Two days in New York
The Pitch For Ya Life weekend
Fri · Dec 4 · Daytime
Generation Founder
Invite-only founder cohort
A working day built around three themed intensives — Finance in the morning, Brand & Creativity at midday, Operations into the afternoon. Each phase ends with a real hand-off: a term-sheet conversation, a brand brief, or an operating question answered.
Fri · Dec 4 · Evening
Generation Founder
Invitation only
A rooftop closing cocktail to the night of Generation Founder, where top pitch finalists meet sponsors and funders through introductions curated by the EOT team. Where the day turns into a deal.
Sat · Dec 5 · 6:00 PM ET
Pitch For Ya Life + Gala
Tickets on sale
The red-carpet finale and live pitch competition. Youthpreneurs pitch on stage, compete for funding, and celebrate alongside the mentors, families, and partners who helped them build.
On stage at the Gala
What young founders compete for
$13,000in total cash awards
$6,000
Pitch For Ya Life prizes
1st $3K · 2nd $2K · 3rd $1K
The pitch competition crowns three winning youthpreneurs, judged live on stage.
$2,000
James “Jimmy” Cole Jr. Award
Winner $1K · two finalists $500
Named for EOT's first chairman, the first Black partner at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and a U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education. Honors young changemakers ages 16–29.
$5,000
Alicia M. James Health Equity Award
One scholarship recipient
A scholarship that funds one future health leader working toward health equity.
Lifetime honors
Founder of the Year · Impact Partner of the Year · Cultural Legacy — three honors that close the night.
Tickets
Choose your seat at the Gala
$65
Student Ticket
A reduced-price ticket for currently enrolled high-school and college students. Student ID may be requested at check-in.
$150
General Admission
Admission to the Pitch For Ya Life competition and gala experience.
$275
VIP Ticket
The full experience with VIP access and enhanced guest benefits. More VIP details will be announced before the event.
$2,500
Group Bundle
10 event tickets, reserved group seating, and group or organization recognition. Bring your team, clients, or community.
Come for the pitches.
Leave believing in what's possible.
Come witness what happens when young people are given the resources, mentorship, and room to dream bigger. Your attendance and support help provide young founders with entrepreneurship education, coaching, business-development resources, and funding to continue building their ventures.
Venue details to be announced. Tickets and donations are processed through Givebutter, EOT's official fundraising platform.