Students Pitched Business Ideas at Reno Competition

Fifth graders presented innovative business proposals to local executives during a Junior Achievement of Nevada event.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Business — General

Students Pitched Business Ideas at Reno Competition

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Fifth grade students from Reno schools pitched new product ideas during the Swimming With the Big Fish competition luncheon. The event challenged participants to apply classroom STEAM skills toward solving community problems.

Why it matters

This competition helps students build confidence and financial literacy by connecting classroom learning with real-world business environments. Junior Achievement of Nevada uses the program to prepare children for future workforce roles.

Bank of America volunteers have coached students for 4 years to support the competition. The event concluded with a luncheon held at 11 a.m. at the Grand Sierra Resort.

The players

Junior Achievement of Nevada

This nonprofit organization provides educational programs focused on financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship for students.

Len Stevens

He is the recipient of the Nazir and Mary Ansari Business Leaders Award presented during the event.

Bank of America

This multinational financial services corporation provides volunteers who coach students in financial and professional skills.

The details

Students from Elmcrest Elementary, Yerington Intermediate, and Mariposa Academy presented their innovations, including a product called Pup Kits, to a panel of local executives. Volunteers coached the students throughout the process on financial literacy and workforce skills.

September 29, 2026: The Swimming With the Big Fish competition luncheon took place.

Market Landscape

The competition follows a pattern set by Junior Achievement's work readiness curriculum by applying academic concepts to real-world scenarios. This initiative highlights the ongoing trend of private-sector partnerships to bridge the gap between elementary education and professional skill development.

Local students gained hands-on experience in innovation and finance that could influence their future educational and career paths. The continued presence of corporate sponsors indicates a sustained local investment in developing early-career professional skills.

The takeaway

Engaging students in business pitching early can foster confidence and practical skill sets for future academic pursuits. These local programs demonstrate the value of applying STEAM-based knowledge to solve everyday problems.