PITCH CHALLENGE MODULES
WYEN Pitch Challenge Modules Chart the Path for an Entrepreneurship Journey
You understand that Wyoming is changing. You witness this every day. You are helping to grow Wyoming’s most important natural resource: our young people. A pitch challenge is an opportunity for youth to practice problem-solving, think critically, and share their voice.
OUR MODULES
Module 1: How do you identify the problem?
- Identifying the Problem: In this video, our team introduces the idea of identifying and understanding problems in Wyoming. Click here.
- Talking to Potential Customers: In this video, our team discusses ways you can talk to potential customers and understand their perspectives. Click here.
- Wacky Inventions: It’s time to play along! Our team looks at new uses for regular objects in this video. Find two items close to you and think of new ways they could be used. Let your creativity shine! Click here.
- Customer Journey Map: One way to develop more empathy with — and gain new insights about — your customers is to look beyond the narrow definition of your offering and consider the customer’s total experience. The more broadly you define the customer experience, the more opportunities you can identify for improvement. Download the instructions, click here.
- Stretch Your Entrepreneurial Muscles: Everyone is creative and here’s one quick, simple exercise to get your creative muscles warmed up. It’s called 30 Circles, and you can do it on your own. The goal is to push you to test your creativity by turning circles into recognizable objects in a very short period of time. The 30 Circles Exercise Instructions: Click here. Template: Click here.
Module 2: What’s your solution?
- Identify & Create Solutions: Entrepreneurs imagine what COULD be. Join UW Host Heather Heath to explore ways to identify and create solutions. Young entrepreneur and founder of Square Top Designs Diesel Vrska is a featured guest (see his video below). Remember, your perspective is unique! Click here.
- So What? Customers don’t buy features, they buy benefits! Use the “So What” template to practice this thought process. Grab a few items from around your home to get started. Bring your personal experience to flex your creativity muscles. Click here.
- Combo Chatter: Learn how to use activities to generate ideas with this fun exercise. Download the instructions, click here.
- Observation Walk: Join our friend Scott Mann from VentureLab for an Observation Walk to explore problems and opportunities. The more that you practice, the more ideas are going to come to you! Click here.
Module 3: Who’s your audience?
- Identify and Connect to Your Customers: In this video, UW Host Heather Heath explores ways entrepreneurs connect with customers. She speaks with Lindsey McCoy of Crave Nutrition, RD in Cheyenne and Luke Knudson of The Old General Store Antiques in Sheridan. Remember, empathy is essential! Click here.
- Pain/Gain Exercise: Now, complete this exercise to draw out the most important characteristics of your customer. Download the PDF.
- Primary & Secondary Market Research of Your Customer: Researching your customers might include speaking with potential customers or analyzing already existing data. In this video, UW Host Heather Heath speaks with Lindsey McCoy of Crave Nutrition, RD in Cheyenne and Luke Knudson of The Old General Store Antiques in Sheridan to understand how they use market research in their businesses. Click here.
- A Day In The Life Exercise: Now, complete this exercise to help you understand more aspects and key points of your target customer. Download the PDF.
#PitchWyoming EXTRA CREDIT
- Q&A with Scott from VentureLab: In this video, Wyoming Young Entrepreneur Pitch Challenge participants (Ben, Kayleigh, Maui, and Sam) join WYEN team members (Heather Heath and Joan Evans) to talk with Scott Mann from VentureLab about their business ideas and challenges. Click here.
- Wacky Inventions Take 2 with Scott from VentureLab: In this video, the Pitch Challenge participants (Ben, Kayleigh, Maui, and Sam) join WYEN team members (Heather Heath and Joan Evens) to play Wacky Inventions. This game helps entrepreneurs to look at items in new ways to spark fresh ideas. Click here.
Module 4: Who’s your competition?
- Identify Your Competition: In this video, UW Host Heather Heath explores ways entrepreneurs can identify their competition. She speaks with Kyrie Blaney of Build Mothers, Build the World and Carson Rabou of Rabros. Click here.
- Favorite Cookie Exercise: Now, complete this activity to practice how to devise and identify the unique competitive advantages of your product, and in this case, your favorite cookie. Click here.
Module 5: How will you make money?
- Selling Your Product: In this video, UW Host Heather Heath explores sales, business models, and revenue models. She reminds us that mistakes and failures offer opportunities to make improvements! She is joined by Alicia Bretzman with Piney Island Native Plants and Sara Von Krosigk with Hatch & Handle. Click here.
- Revenue Model Examples: This resource will help you understand revenue models from Transaction Revenue (a one-time sale like clothing at American Eagle) to Service Revenue (the sale of a service like a haircut at your local barbershop). Click here.
- Business Model Template: Use this template to develop your own business model. You’ll be better prepared to pitch your product or service to others and to be successful in your business. Click here.
- Advertising Challenge: Complete this activity to help you learn how to communicate the most important information of your business model that will make customers want to buy your product or service. Click here.
Module 6: How do you pitch your idea?
- How to Pitch Your Idea: In our final video, UW Host Heather Heath walks through the checklist for making an effective pitch. It takes courage to accomplish great things, but practice will help you succeed! Kyrie Blaney from Build Mothers, Build the World rejoins Heather to share her experience pitching for the John P. Ellbogen $50K Competition at the University of Wyoming. You’ve put a lot of work into your product or service and it’s time to put it all together! Ready. Set. Pitch! Click here.
- Body Language Game: Confident body language and speaking in a loud and excited tone of voice helps all entrepreneurs appear more confident, even if they are really nervous about presenting their business idea. Try out the Body Language Game to practice. The document lists a few prompts, including anger, surprise, and confusion. Can you come up with more? Click here.
- Fill-in-the-Blank Template: Use this template to get started with your pitch. It will help you to remember to include the most important things, including the problem you’re trying to solve, your competitive advantage, and the value of the product/service. Click here.
- Pitch Checklist: Download this handout from Young Entrepreneur Institute (YEI). The checklist for filming video pitches and elevator pitch essentials will help you make the most of your 90-second opportunity to share your business idea. Click here.
#PitchWyoming EXTRA CREDIT!
- Tips & Tricks with Jessie from Young Entrepreneur Institute: In this video, Wyoming Young Entrepreneur Pitch Challenge participants learned about tips and tricks for recording the best pitch video. Click here.
Final Step: Make your pitch!
- Make Your Pitch: Whether you’re entering an official pitch challenge or advocating for your idea on another platform, the final step is making your pitch with confidence. Good luck!
Consider using these modules and refer to this sample timeline: click here.
Mission: We bridge the gap between Wyoming’s out-of-school programs and the communities they uplift, fueling them with resources, support and opportunities that inspire lifelong learning, growth and connection.
Family of Funds
Cultivating Community and Growing Leaders
Today we join the National Summer Learning Association to celebrate the power of Community & Leadership. Learning happens everywhere and young people thrive when they feel a sense of belonging and purpose. That’s why the Wyoming Enrichment Network supports programs and partnerships that build strong relationships and create meaningful leadership opportunities across the state. When we invest in the people and places that help youth grow, we help build a brighter future for all of Wyoming.
Why is Community & Leadership Important?
Research from the Afterschool Alliance shows that when youth are given authentic opportunities to lead, they gain confidence, build communication skills, and deepen their sense of purpose. Near-peer mentorship is especially powerful. As STEM Next says, “STEM confidence is contagious." When youth see someone just a step ahead, they’re more likely to take that step themselves.
Leadership in Action Across Wyoming
Wyoming 4-H helps youth explore leadership and civic engagement in fun, hands-on ways. At this year’s Showcase Showdown in Laramie, young people from across the state took part in contests, workshops, and tours—including a stick horse engineering challenge that brought together creativity, teamwork, and lots of laughs. Explore Wyoming 4-H Leadership & Civic Engagement>>
COWGIRLS in STEM inspires youth to engage with STEM across Wyoming. At their Cheyenne camp this summer, young people worked in teams to imagine AI-powered robots that could help them in their daily lives—an activity that sparked both innovation and connection. Learn more about COWGIRLS in STEM>>
Learning Through Mentorship
At WYEN, we’re proud to support programs like the Summer STEM Fellowship and our High School Fellowship pilot with the Big Horn Basin Boost Program. These efforts empower students—from high schoolers to college undergrads—to design and lead hands-on learning experiences for younger youth in their communities.
Nicole Porter, a graduate student in counseling at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, continues to apply what she learned as a Summer STEM Fellow and mentor. One key takeaway? The value of “volleyball conversations” that keep ideas moving and invite many voices. “It’s something I still use today,” she says.
Spotlight: Download the ACRES STEM Facilitation and Learning Models. This simple three-page guide offers excellent ways to think about leading discussions in STEM. But it’s great for any subject! Click here.
When Nicole asked current Fellows what they love most about working with kids, the answers were heartfelt: Ashley and Jada spoke about relationship-building. Aidyn shared the joy of being outdoors and helping kids be themselves. Mia enjoys teaching STEM. Allison loves gardening with young people. Lauren appreciates seeing kids from the YES House unwind and connect. And Maisie? “They think out loud. No filter. It’s real.”
Nicole Porter, a 2023 Summer STEM Fellow Alum: “I get as much out of this work as the kids do. I learn so much about myself through working with young people—and that’s a beautiful thing.”
The Big Horn Basin Boost Program is helping high school students become role models. Through a WYEN pilot project, high schoolers designed and led weeklong mini-camps for middle schoolers. They choose topics based on their own interests and career goals. One of the participants was John, a sophomore with interests in theater, the military, and video games. He wanted to focus his mini-camp on ways that gaming can foster friendship and teamwork. WYEN connected him with a professional game designer and together they discussed career pathways and strategies to engage middle schoolers through gaming.
Try This! Activities for Programs and Families
Learn more about Youth Voice! The Afterschool Alliance Youth Voice Toolkit can help you explore the spectrum of youth voice work and tools and examples from partners at each level of youth involvement and best practices. Mizzen’s Ten Tips for Amplifying Youth Voice can help lead to more engaging and effective programs.
SPOTLIGHT: Get To Know You and Establish Group Norms is a 30-minute downloadable activity from the Search Institute designed to build trust between group members by exploring what members have in common and what makes them unique. This activity was popular with the Summer STEM Fellows! Click here.
Dig into the Leadership and Civic Engagement modules from Wyoming 4-H. The invite young people to "get started with a foundation in leadership that you can build upon over a lifetime!"
Learning to Give’s series “Open Doors to Your Community,” helps young people learn about the purpose of public safety while meeting people involved in their community. They have tips for visiting a fire station, a police station, and more! Each guide is a virtual door that leads young people to an actual door with ideas for engagement.
Build a fort with WY Quality Counts and help young people learn practice collaboration. The instructions note that reflection can help develop those skills: “Talk to them about how they feel working with another person. Did it make them happy? Did they have fun?" The instructions are for younger kids, but the lesson could easily be adapted.
Keep Learning!
Want to see more? Visit wyoenrichmentnetwork.org/summer-sparks to explore other stories. Share your own summer learning experiences using #SummerLearningWeek and #ThriveBeyondTheBell.
Igniting Curiosity, Connection, and Growth All Summer Long
The Wyoming Enrichment Network is celebrating National Summer Learning Week (July 14–18, 2025) by spotlighting the amazing ways communities across the state are helping young people stay curious, connected, and growing all summer long.
