Calling High School Student Entrepreneurs

from Across Southeastern Pennsylvania!

Now Accepting Applications!

If you are you a student entrepreneur from a high school located across the six-county community of southeastern Pennsylvania with a big idea for a startup company, then Road to LionCage is for you! We invite high school students who are current or aspiring entrepreneurs to apply for this special pitch competition!

This is your chance to:

Pitch your startup or idea in front of a live audience
Connect with real entrepreneurs and mentors
Win a spot at LionCage 2025, the region’s top pitch competition

Whether you’ve got a tech idea, a solution to an old problem, or a big dream, we want to hear from you. Bring your passion, your creativity, and your hustle.

What is Road to LionCage?

Road to LionCage is a series of intimate pitch competitions leading up to the main event – LionCage on November 14, 2025. Each Road to LionCage event spotlights a specific category. The September 30 session is for high school age entrepreneurs. We’ll have an informative panel discussion featuring successful entrepreneurs and business leaders followed by a pitch competition and closing reception where we’ll announce our winner and runner-up!

Note: Please share this pitch competition opportunity with students and teachers/advisors at your local high school in Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties across southeastern PA!

Road to LionCage - Young Entrepreneurs

Tuesday, September 30 | 4 to 7:00 p.m.

Downingtown STEM Academy, Downingtown, PA

Apply to Pitch

Applications to pitch must be received

no later than 11:59 p.m. SEPTEMBER 14.

Registration closes at noon,

SEPTEMBER 29.

Click here for more details and agenda for September 30 session.

Click here to visit the LionCage website and a recap of the 2024 event.

A Special Thanks to our Sponsors!

Thank You

Host Sponsor:

Save the Dates

September 11 - Open Road Category | Comcast LIFT Labs | 12-4 p.m.

September 19 - Scaling for Growth: Selling Like a Marine | Flex at Chesterbrook | 8:30-10 a.m.

October 15 - Veteran Founders | Greencastle Consulting, Malvern | 5 - 9 p.m.

Apply to Pitch or Register to Attend

November 14 - Final LionCage Pitch Competition | Penn State Great Valley | 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Applications and Registration opening soon

For questions or sponsorship information contact Matt Cabrey, i2n Director

The Ideas x Innovation Network (i2n) is an initiative of the Chester County Economic Development Council. Our mission is to make southeastern PA the best possible place for early-stage and technology-driven companies to start, grow, and thrive. i2n is funded in part by private sector support and educational partners.