September 20, 2026 · West Forsyth High School

Build a startup.
In one day.
Win $1000+.

An all-day startup competition for high school students. Get a challenge, build a venture with your team, and pitch it to judges.

September 20, 2026 West Forsyth High School Free entry Grades 9–12 Solo or teams of 1–4 No idea or coding experience required
Manage My Team

Registration is closed. Existing team leaders can still add or remove teammates.

1 Day
Build and pitch
1–4
Students per team
$1,000+
Total prize pool
InnovateATL

Community and Industry Support

Redline Ventures Tech Square Ventures Georgia Tech CREATE-X Georgia Tech CEISMC
Why InnovateATL

Big Ideas Made
Achievable.

You do not need a finished idea, business experience, or technical skills. InnovateATL gives you a challenge and a clear way to think like a founder with your team.

  • Learn by building a startup concept in one day
  • Practice turning research into confident decisions
  • Work solo or bring a team of up to four students
  • Pitch your venture and compete for a $1,000+ prize pool

What Your Team Builds

Customer Research
Learn what customers need
Market Analysis
Size up the opportunity
Revenue Models
Show how the venture works
Go-to-Market Strategy
Plan how to reach customers
Competitive Advantage
Explain what sets you apart
Financials
Make the numbers understandable
Pitching
Bring the customer, strategy, and numbers together in a clear story
September 20th, 2026

Day-Of Format

Full schedule TBA. Here's the flow.

01

Check-In & Prompt Reveal

Teams arrive, get settled, and receive the official competition prompt for the first time. Your clock starts now.

02

Build & Validate Your Venture

The bulk of your day. Research, validate, build your business model, financials, and presentation. Coaches circulate to assist.

03

Judging Rounds

All teams present to a panel of judges. Evaluated on customer discovery, market opportunity, business model, and pitch quality.

🏆

Finalist Presentations & Awards

Top teams pitch on the main stage. Winners announced. Cash prizes awarded. Celebrate what you built in 10 hours.

FAQ

Questions Answered

InnovateATL is open to high school students in grades 9–12.

No. You do not need an idea before the event. InnovateATL is designed to help teams build a startup from the ground up.

No. Coding experience is not required. Teams can focus on customer research, business strategy, product concepts, marketing, financials, and pitching.

New registrations are closed. Existing teams can have up to four students, including the team leader.

New individual signups are closed. An existing team leader can still add you to their team.

New accounts and team registrations are closed. Existing team leaders can add or remove teammates through the team portal.

Your account lets you access your team portal, submit reports, manage teammates and registration information, and view event-related information.

InnovateATL is free for eligible high school students.

InnovateATL will take place at West Forsyth High School in Cumming, Georgia.

Teams will develop a startup concept involving the customer problem, target market, business model, go-to-market strategy, competitive advantage, financials, and pitch.

Free for Grades 9–12

Registration is closed.
Manage your team.

Existing team leaders can sign in to add or remove teammates. New accounts and team registrations are closed.

Manage My Team Follow for Updates
September 20, 2026 West Forsyth High School Free entry Grades 9–12 Solo or teams of 1–4 No idea or coding experience required