Timeless Skills.
Real Impact.

A pitch competition for students building real solutions in an AI-powered world. From January to May, students identify a real problem, build a real solution, and pitch what they’ve learned — not just what they made.

Register for the Pitch Competition

Work with a Curious Cardinals mentor →

Register now to receive updates, reminders, and submission
guidance as the competition unfolds.

What You Can Build

The format is open. The bar is not.

Portfolio Creation

Build tangible projects—from robotics prototypes to creative writing collections—that colleges love.

See more

Launching an Organization

Turn big ideas into social impact initiatives or profitable businesses.

See more

Research

Conduct meaningful research, publish original work, and stand out academically.

See more

Content Creation

Establish a powerful digital presence and publish professional-level content.

See more

Portfolio Creation

Build tangible projects—from robotics prototypes to creative writing collections—that colleges love.

See more

Launching an Organization

Turn big ideas into social impact initiatives or profitable businesses.

See more

Research

Conduct meaningful research, publish original work, and stand out academically.

See more

Content Creation

Establish a powerful digital presence and publish professional-level content.

See more

Register Now

How the Timeless Skills Pitch Competition Works

📝 Register
Open now!
‍🧱 Build
Students may work alone or with support from a Curious Cardinals mentor.
📬 Submit
Final submissions due: May 9.
🏆 Pitch
Live pitch competition: May 17. Finalists pitch live to industry leaders.
Register Now

Who This Is For

Open to all students
Any grade level may register, thought finalists may be grouped by age. Students may work independently, with a mentor, or with guidance elsewhere
Register Now

What Students Built Last Year

Last year, over 100 students submitted projects.
Only 12 were selected to pitch live.
‍
These students didn’t pitch ideas.
They showed real projects with real-world impact.

Each finalist built something that existed beyond the classroom — organizations, products, research, and initiatives that created value in the world. Then they stood behind their work, pitching it live and defending their decisions under real pressure from industry leaders.

Track Tutoring

Penelope Pressman
(Harvard ’29)
‍
Spencer Kojima
(HS Senior)

Built: On-demand tutoring platform.
‍Proof: 100+ tutors across 20+ states.

Read Story

CULEO

Sloane Lynyak
(10th grade)

Built: Autonomous space debris satellite.
Proof: NASA outreach + published mission concept.

Read Story

Hearts for Hope

Karys Fan
(8th grade)

Built: Dementia care nonprofit.
‍Proof: Youth-led program with a national scale plan.

Read Story

The Forever Bar

Armaan Kapur
(3rd grade)

Built: Waterless soap for water-scarce communities.
‍Proof: Defended live under investor questioning.

Read Story

IYK Jewels

Rose Cornell
(10th grade)

Built: Mission-driven jewelry brand.
‍Proof: $8,000+ revenue donated to charity.

Read Story

CogniPlay

L
‍(1th grade)

Built: Deep-learning enabled iPhone app for early Alzheimer's Disease detection.
‍Proof: 80% accuracy model.

Read Story

Political Mythmaking Research

Anna Ovchinnikova
(10th grade)

Built: Political parallel thesis on mythmaking.
‍Proof: Presented findings to professionals in the field.

Read Story

Safer Surgery: Picasso

Margaret Wall
(7th grade)

Built: AI-powered robot for surgical incision.
‍Proof: Functioning robot arm.

Read Story

The Cohetes Project

B
‍(10th grade)

Built: STEM rocketry program for students in rural Guatemala.
‍Proof: Students built their own rocket launch experiments.

Read Story

LaunchBox

S
‍(th grade)

Built: Hands-on entrepreneurship kits.
‍Proof: Taught 25+ students business fundamentals.

Read Story

First Impressions

H
‍(h grade)

Built: Youth journal fostering civil discourse.
‍Proof: Accepting community submissions on an up-and-running website.

Read Story

Stress and the Microbiome

Priscilla Wong
(7th grade)

Built: Experiment testing effects of stress on health.
‍Proof: Found that stress leads to a higher chance of illness.

Read Story

Fashion / Cosmetics

From curious, shy student to feminist fashion icon at Cornell

See how Elise built a platform highlighting female leaders in fashion leading to an internship, published articles, and amassing a following for her platform.

Read Elise's Story

Journalism

Bridging Cultures, Sharing Stories, Inspiring Connections.

Discover how Scarlett is building a global community through compelling interviews and storytelling, highlighting diverse perspectives on music, film, mental health, feminism, and the human experience.

Read Scarlett's Story

Fashion / Cosmetics

From Weekend Crafts to Love Shack Fancy partnership at Age 14

See how Rose transformed her jewelry-making hobby into a profitable accessories brand and generated thousands in profits.

Read Rose's Story

Sports Journalism

From Sneakers to Sports Cards: Building a Thriving Resale Business

See how Max transitioned from sneaker reselling into a profitable sports card business, generating thousands in sales and building a thriving online brand.

Read Max's Story

Coding & Programming

Wins a Congressional App Award

Learn about Drew’s award-winning health app integrating AI and sophisticated data visualization, showcasing technical expertise and creativity.

Read Drew's Story

STEM Project

Launching a Non Profit Advancing Global Health

Josh built a platform advancing global health and advocacy for patients, partnered with local clinics to provide mentorship to 75+ families, and is now headed to UPenn!

Read Josh's Story

The Timeless Skills
Activity Sheet

A guided framework students use to turn real work into real proof — and prepare for pitching.

Register Now

Judges and Recognition

Our finalists will pitch live to a panel of industry leaders.

TO BE ANNOUNCED

TO BE ANNOUNCED

TO BE ANNOUNCED

TO BE ANNOUNCED

Register Now

Past judges include founders, CEOs, and senior leaders from top technology, media, and consumer companies.

Winners receive $1,000 fellowship stipends, national recognition, and live feedback from industry leaders.

Curated Competitions & Awards

Our team also provides personalized recommendations for competitions, publications, and awards where students can submit their work next.

Want Guidance Along the Way?

Students do not need a Curious Cardinals mentor to participate.

Many choose one to raise the bar on execution, accountability, and storytelling.

Ava

Los Angeles, CA
Design

Lula

Nyack, NY
Sociology

Eden

Crowthorne, Berkshire
Economics

Matthew

Houston, TX
Radio, Television, Film

Colette

New York, NY
Theater & Performance Studies

Franck

Lousville, KY
Computer Science

Matthew

Honolulu, HI
Psychology

Jonathan

West Lafayette, IN
Mechanical Engineering
Explore Mentorship

Entry Fee

Free for students actively working with a Curious Cardinals mentor.

$18 for students not working with a Curious Cardinals mentor.

This helps ensure thoughtful, high-quality submissions.

Don’t Miss the Finish Line 📆

This is like signing up for a race. How are you planning to run 26.2 miles if you don’t register and put the race date on your calendar? That’s how you get yourself to put in the miles, commit to the work, and actually show up.

Sometimes you just need a finish line.

Register for the Timeless Skills Pitch Competition

Register now to receive updates, reminders, and submission guidance.
Submissions Due: May 9.
Pitch Day: May 17.

MentorsPricingCase StudiesReviews
Financial AidBlogHow It WorksFAQ
Become a MentorCareersTerms & ConditionsPrivacy Policy
press@curiouscardinals.com