Young Minds Big Ideas to host "Think Tank" Pitch Competition.

This May, high school students from across New Jersey and the tri-state area will gather to pitch groundbreaking solutions designed to make businesses more accessible, inclusive, and socially responsible. The occasion: the 2025 Young Minds Big Ideas (YMBI) Think Tank Competition, a Shark Tank–style event where students present real-world innovations aimed at expanding access to commerce for individuals with disabilities and underserved communities.

Hosted by the nonprofit Young Minds Big Ideas: Executive Director and Founder Ruhaan Munjuluri, and board members Olivia Liu, Scott K., Kate Marcus, Jack Klein, Noah Shin, Brody Kwiat, and more. event will take place on May 18, 2025, at the Livingston Community Senior Center, with finalists competing for thousands of dollars in funding, mentorship, and the chance to pilot their projects with local businesses and organizations.

Real-World Innovation, Student-Driven Impact

The competition is part of YMBI’s broader mission to empower youth to address real-world challenges through entrepreneurship and civic engagement. This year’s theme — "Accessibility in Business" — invites students to identify gaps in how businesses serve the public and to build creative, scalable solutions. Submissions include ideas like:

• A scanner that converts printed price tags into braille for blind consumers
• An app that helps neurodivergent individuals navigate retail spaces
• Inclusive hiring tools for small businesses

“This competition is about more than just ideas — it’s about implementation,” said Munjuluri. “We’re giving students a platform to not only think critically but to take action with support from mentors, local leaders, and real-world partners.”

From Local Roots to Regional Reach

Founded in 2023, Young Minds Big Ideas has grown rapidly from a local initiative into a youth-driven movement with over 240 students, 21 chapters, and more than 170 innovative proposals submitted across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Past competitions have led to community-wide change, including LED-powered safety streetlights and multicultural events that promoted inclusion and local business growth.

Finalists from this year’s Think Tank will pitch to a panel of judges including civic leaders, nonprofit executives, and corporate partners such as C2, Family Healing Center, Best Brains, and AI4A — several of whom have pledged to help implement winning solutions within their own organizations.

Upcoming Events & How to Get Involved

📍 Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/...

Students interested in applying to pitch can submit their ideas here:
🔗 https://forms.gle/7Lr5duRZVpkbhYxd9

YMBI welcomes support from businesses, donors, and community members interested in advancing inclusive entrepreneurship.
💡 Donate to support student-led innovation: https://gofund.me/6d8c101e