The Innovators of Tomorrow Solving the Problems of Today
JA Catalyst is a 7-session entrepreneurship ideation program. Develop your Crazy Idea, learn the Business Model Canvas, build your pitch, and compete for up to $15,000 in scholarship money.
Discovery
Explore entrepreneurship, identify customer segments, and use innovation lab activities to brainstorm crazy ideas that solve real problems.
The Problem
Explore social, environmental, and community issues. Break big problems into customer pain points and brainstorm solutions.
Business Model Canvas
Learn the 9 blocks of the Business Model Canvas using StudyBud and Uber as examples, then build your own canvas.
Anatomy of a Pitch
Learn what makes a great startup pitch, write your opening lines, and practice body language and power poses.
Building the Pitch Part I
Create your Problem, Solution, Market, and Competition slides with supporting pitch script for each.
Building the Pitch Part II
Build your Business Model, Go-to-Market Strategy, Cost Structure, The Ask, Team, and Conclusion slides.
Make the Pitch!
Pitch your Crazy Idea to peers and judges using the official Trust Your Crazy Ideas Challenge rubric. Then apply to the Idea Accelerator!
Discovery
Learn how entrepreneurs use problem-solving to create businesses. Explore what makes an entrepreneur and use Innovation Lab activities to start developing your own Crazy Idea.
🎯Session Objectives
- Identify traits of entrepreneurs
- Define and identify customer segments and their pain points
- Use brainstorming techniques to solve problems and innovate on existing products
📖Key Terms
💡Big Ideas Start with a Problem
Examples of entrepreneurs solving problems:
- Apple: Personal computers were difficult to use, so Apple created one with an easy-to-use interface.
- Nike: Wanted to make an athletic shoe that gripped like track spike cleats — then expanded to fashion.
- Spotify: Gives customers a central platform to stream music and helps creators reach large listener bases.
🧪Lean Startup & Experimentation
Remember: if a solution does not address customers' specific pain points, those customers will not use it and the company will fail. Identifying customers' needs first — and tailoring your solution to those needs — gives you the best shot at success.
StudyBud — Zara's App
Young entrepreneur Zara has an app idea to help high school study groups find great places to study. As a student herself, she knows finding a quiet place to study is important. But does this actually solve a real problem? Your instructor will conduct a customer interview with the class to find out — and help you think about how to refine Zara's idea based on what you learn.
Customer Pain Points — Alonzo, Derek & Jenny
Three high school students are all struggling in school but for very different reasons. Alonzo has time management issues due to sports. Derek missed two weeks and can't catch up in math. Jenny balances a job with studying. They're all in the same customer segment — but have different specific pain points. Your solution must address the specific pain points of your chosen segment.
Innovation Lab
Work in pairs. Your instructor will assign your team a card with either a problem to solve ("Solve it") or a product to improve ("Make it better"). Examples include: trash in catch basins, learning to cook healthy food, breakfast on the go, public transportation, and more. Use the graphic organizer to describe the problem, your potential customer, and your solution. Also sketch a prototype of what your product could look like.
📹 Session Videos
All videos compiled at trustyourcrazyideaschallenge.org/curriculum
Discussion Prompt: Think about a problem you encounter in your daily life. Who else has this problem? What are their specific pain points? Based on today's session, is this a good problem worth solving? Share your idea!
The Problem
Explore environmental, social, healthcare, technology, and community issues. Learn to break big problems into specific customer pain points and brainstorm solutions for your Crazy Idea.
🎯Session Objectives
- Explore issues and identify specific customer pain points
- Break down big problems into smaller, solvable pain points
- Identify problems you are interested in solving and create a solution
📖Key Terms
🌍Problem Categories to Explore
Your Crazy Idea can tackle problems from any of these areas:
Climate, pollution, water
Education, justice, housing
Mental health, access, aging
AI, privacy, social media
Safety, infrastructure, equity
Your passion, everyday life
🔍Breaking Down Big Problems
For example: Alonzo, Derek, and Jenny all struggle in school — but each has different specific pain points. If we look back at their pain points, we notice that each student needs help studying. Focus on the most specific pain points you can solve.
Identify the Problem
Choose an issue category to explore. Ask: who is impacted by this problem? Break it down into customer segments and their specific pain points. Use the circular diagram in your workbook: Category → Customer Segments → Customer Pain Points.
Brainstorming Solutions
Choose two pain points and brainstorm 3 possible solutions for each. Then use these problem validation questions: Can you describe the problem? Are there enough potential customers? Are they already solving it? Is your solution better? Will customers pay for it? Pick your strongest solution as your Crazy Idea!
📹 Session Videos
Discussion Prompt: What category did you explore today? What problem are you most excited about solving? Describe your customer segment and their specific pain points. What's your Crazy Idea solution?
Business Model Canvas
Learn the 9 building blocks of the Business Model Canvas using StudyBud and Uber as examples, then build your own canvas for your Crazy Idea.
🎯Session Objectives
- Learn about the Business Model Canvas and define each segment
- Create a Business Model Canvas for a sample company (StudyBud)
- Create a Business Model Canvas for your own Crazy Idea
📋The Business Model Canvas
Who will help you?
What do you do?
🔑 Key Resources
What do you need?
What problem do you solve?
How do you engage?
📢 Channels
How do they buy?
Who are they?
📚The 9 Blocks Explained
Zara's Business Model Canvas
Value Prop: Matches high school students with study partners. Customers: Students, parents, schools. Channels: App stores + school partnerships. Revenue: Free ad-supported + premium subscriptions + school licenses. Key Partners: App stores, guidance counselors. Cost Structure: Software platform, sales staff, web security, marketing.
Create Your Own Business Model Canvas
Answer the questions in each block to create a Business Model Canvas for your Crazy Idea. Start with your Value Proposition (what problem you solve and for whom), then work outward. Remember: changing one block can impact the entire canvas — that's the power of this tool!
📹 Session Videos
Discussion Prompt: Share your Business Model Canvas! What is your Value Proposition? Who are your Customer Segments? What was the hardest block to fill in — and why? What did completing the canvas teach you about your idea?
Anatomy of a Pitch
Learn the components of a great startup pitch, write your opening lines, and practice public speaking body language including power poses.
🎯Session Objectives
- Explain the purpose of a startup pitch and identify its elements
- Write your opening lines and use power poses to be a more effective public speaker
📖Key Terms
🎤The 4 Parts of a Pitch
- Pitch Script — What you will say. Your pitch should be compelling and tell a story.
- Pitch Deck — The slide deck you'll use. Highlight key points and data on your slides. (Use PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Canva.)
- Prototype — A mock-up of your product or service, either functional or a physical representation.
- Q&A — Time for investors or judges to ask you questions. Know your product and business inside out!
✍️Your Pitch Deck Slide Order
💪Opening Lines & Body Language
3 types of strong opening lines:
- Engage the audience: "Raise your hand if you have a dog." / "Think of a time when you lost your phone..."
- Impress with statistics: "Every minute, two garbage trucks of plastic are dumped into our oceans."
- Make it personal: "When I was 7 years old, my grandmother tripped over my toys and broke her ankle."
Superman Power Pose: Plant feet shoulder-width apart · Hands on hips · Chin parallel to the ground · Shoulders back · Chest forward. Hold for 1 minute before your pitch to feel more confident!
Writing Your Opening Lines
Write your pitch opening — a strong one-liner or short intro that highlights why your problem is important and why your audience should care. Don't go too deep into your problem or solution yet. Practice it standing up using good body language!
📹 Session Videos
Discussion Prompt: Share your opening line! What type did you use — audience engagement, statistics, or personal story? Why did you choose that approach? How do you feel about presenting your pitch?
Building the Pitch Part I
Dive into the four most important slides of your pitch: Problem, Solution, Market, and Competition — with script prompts and slide design guidance for each.
❗The Problem Slide
💡The Solution Slide
📊The Market Slide
⚔️The Competition Slide
Discussion Prompt: Share your Problem and Solution slides! What statistic or data point best illustrates why your problem matters? Who are your top 2 competitors and what is your competitive advantage over them?
Building the Pitch Part II
Complete your pitch with Business Model, Go-to-Market Strategy, Cost Structure, The Ask, Team, and Conclusion slides.
💰Business Model Slide
StudyBud Example: Revenue Stream 1: Free download with paid advertising · Revenue Stream 2: Premium monthly individual subscriptions · Revenue Stream 3: School/district subscriptions at volume rates.
🚀Go-to-Market Strategy
Your GTM strategy explains how you'll get your product to market and win your first customers. Start by identifying your Beachhead Customers — the segment most likely to buy. Ask: who is most impacted by the problem? Who will pay for my solution? Who do I have access to?
📊Cost Structure & The Ask
Cost Structure: A breakdown of what you'll spend your launch capital on — technology, marketing, personnel, manufacturing, etc. Research real costs online to make educated estimates.
The Ask slide should tell investors exactly how much you need, where you are now, where you're going, and how you'll spend the investment.
👥Team & Conclusion Slide
Introduce every team member and explain what expertise each person brings. Include any advisors (ask their permission first!). In your conclusion, remind investors why your product should be funded and why your company is a great investment. End with energy!
Your Go-to-Market Strategy (Student Guide: Page 20)
Use the worksheet to map out how you'll reach your beachhead market, where they'll buy your product, and how you'll grow over time.
Your Cost Structure (Student Guide: Pages 22–23)
List all key resources and activities needed to start your business with estimated costs. Research actual prices online. Don't forget personnel costs — including paying yourself!
Discussion Prompt: How much are you asking investors for — and why? Break down your top 2–3 cost categories. What is your go-to-market strategy to win your first 10 customers?
Make the Pitch!
It's pitch day! Present your Crazy Idea to peers and judges, use the official rubric to score each other, and apply to the Trust Your Crazy Ideas Challenge Idea Accelerator.
🎤Pitch Day Prep
Today is the culmination of all your hard work! You'll present your full pitch to peers who will act as investors, then to a panel of community judges. Remember:
- You have 6 minutes to pitch at the Trust Your Crazy Ideas Challenge finals
- Use your slides (digital or printed handouts)
- A Q&A session follows — know your business inside and out
- Use the power pose backstage to get in the zone!
📋Official Pitch Rubric — 100 Points
Use this rubric to score your peers during Pitch to Your Peers activity
🚀 Apply to the Idea Accelerator!
20 semi-finalist teams will be invited to the JA Idea Accelerator — an after-school workshop series held on Wednesday evenings from January to March, 4:30–6:30PM. Dinner is provided! Winners can earn up to $15,000 in scholarship money and $7,500 for their school.
📋 What to Include in Your Submission
📌 Quick FAQ
- Teams can have up to 4 students (teammates don't need to be from the same school)
- Ideas can be a product OR a service (including apps, food banks, nonprofits)
- The idea must show innovation and should positively impact the world
- Already running a business? You can submit it! Just explain your innovation.
- Use Google Slides, PowerPoint, or Canva for your pitch deck
Final Reflection: You've completed JA Catalyst! How has your Crazy Idea changed since Session 1? What was the most important thing you learned? What feedback from your peers helped you the most? Are you applying to the Idea Accelerator?