SparkHub Youth Entrepreneur Association
2025 SWCSSA x SparkHub
NextGen Entrepreneurs Competition
Spark The Future
2025 SWCSSA x SparkHub
NextGen Entrepreneurs Competition
March 22, 2025
777 Tower, Los Angeles
The 2025 SWCSSA x SparkHub NextGen Entrepreneurs Competition is a premier youth startup pitch event dedicated to empowering the next generation of changemakers. Held at the iconic 777 Tower in Downtown Los Angeles, the competition brought together 12 outstanding teams of high school and college students from across California and beyond—including participants from San Francisco, San Diego, Utah, and New York. With over 250 attendees, including investors, educators, and industry leaders, the event served as a vibrant platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas, receive professional feedback, and compete for funding, awards, and mentorship. More than just a pitch event, it celebrated the entrepreneurial spirit driving today’s youth forward.
Our Venue
777 Tower
777 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Perfect for the event
We are proud to have hosted the 2025 NextGen Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition at the iconic 777 Tower, one of the most prestigious commercial landmarks in Downtown LA. Known for its modern architecture, world-class facilities, and vibrant business ecosystem, 777 Tower provided an inspiring and professional setting for our young entrepreneurs to pitch, connect, and grow.
The partnership not only elevated the quality and impact of the competition but also helped foster a space where ideas, ambition, and community came together.
Together, we are building a future shaped by youth-led innovation.
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Judges Panel
Our competition was honored to welcome an extraordinary panel of judges from diverse professional backgrounds, ranging from top-tier universities and investment firms to tech startups and corporate leadership.
Guests Panel
A diverse lineup of distinguished professionals and thought leaders invited to share insights, engage in roundtable discussions, and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Kickoff Event: Workshop for Young Entrepreneurs
Before the big stage on March 22nd, we hosted another networking and workshop event on February 22nd at The One Pioneer in Irvine. This exclusive gathering brought together over 100 passionate students, startup teams, and professionals for entrepreneurial storytelling, pitch guidance, and meaningful connections.
From expert speakers to one-on-one coaching, this event served as a launchpad for young founders to refine their ideas and meet like-minded innovators.
Moments Before the Spotlight
From early check-ins to spontaneous conversations and shared excitement, take a look at some of our student participants striking a pose in front of the official event backdrop before the competition even began!
🌟 Event Highlights
Pitch Competition
Twelve outstanding student teams from high schools and universities across the U.S. presented their startup projects live at 777 Tower in Los Angeles. Each team delivered a professional pitch and answered questions from a panel of experienced judges, including investors, professors, and industry leaders. The competition showcased groundbreaking ideas across diverse sectors like AI, consumer tech, healthcare, and sustainability.
Academic background of our student entrepreneurs:
Guest Panel Discussion
Following the pitch sessions, 12 featured judges and guest experts came together for an insightful roundtable discussion. Moderated by student hosts, the panel explored core topics such as investment trends, entrepreneurial challenges, and future opportunities in innovation.
Our student moderators:
Sky Xiang
Co-founder of MamaLand
Ads Manager at Outlandish
Alumni of UCLA & USC
Kim Wang
Sophomore student at UCSB
Double major in B.A., Economics;
B.S., Statistics & Data Science
Celebrating Innovation, Passion, and Impact
At the end of an inspiring day of pitches and conversations, we proudly honored the top-performing student ventures for their creativity, execution, and entrepreneurial vision. Judges selected winners based on innovation, feasibility, investment potential, and social impact—marking the beginning of new journeys for these outstanding young founders.
This will link to a dedicated page showcasing the winning teams, their project descriptions, and photos.
U.S. SOUTHWESTERN CHINESE STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS ASSOCIATION
This event is in partnership with
"Service, Unity, Innovation, and Growth"
The Southwestern Chinese Students and Scholars Association (SWCSSA) currently includes over forty member universities across the US Southwestern Region. Its mission is to unite local Chinese students and scholars' associations to serve the Chinese student community, promote Chinese culture, and facilitate educational and cultural exchange between China and the U.S.
SWCSSA acts as a bridge for students' communication and a link connecting Chinese students and scholars across the southwestern United States.
“Powered by Passion, United by Purpose.”
Meet the Organizers & Student Volunteers Who Made It All Happen
While the spotlight shone on the stage, it was the dedication and passion of our organizers and student volunteers that kept everything running seamlessly behind the scenes. From planning logistics and designing materials to managing guests and ensuring every detail was perfect, this event would not have been possible without them.
Recap
Look Back at Past Events
Discover SparkHub's previous successful events that brought together young entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and enthusiasts to share knowledge, network, and inspire.
Recap
Held in Summer 2024 at the Hilton Hotel in Costa Mesa, CA. This event united 16 high school teams, showcasing groundbreaking ideas and entrepreneurial talent. The competition provides a platform for young innovators to pitch their business ideas, receive expert mentorship, and compete for awards and seed funding.
Highlights
The 2024 Youth Entrepreneur Fair, led by Sandbox Synergy and in partnership with SparkHub, is an inspiring event led by SparkHub Co-founder Avril Zhang. The Youth Entrepreneur Fair is a large-scale fair that hosts student-led small businesses by giving them a booth and a public platform to share and grow their passion for entrepreneurship.
