Tomorrow's founders
are growing up in SOMA.
South Orange & Maplewood have always been full of artists, makers, and founders. SOMA Startupis a one-day challenge that puts that creative spirit in kids' hands. Spot a problem. Build a fix. Pitch it to the judges.
When
TBD
One high-energy day
Time
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
No coding required
Where
TBD
South Orange + Maplewood, NJ
Divisions
Three divisions, one shared goal.
Age-based divisions keep it fair — younger builders rewarded for creativity, older students held to a higher bar.
Every team builds
A deck + a working prototype
Every winner gets
$1,000 + mentorship
runner-up recognized in each
Young Builders
Grades 4–5Imagination first. Spot a problem, dream up a fix, and bring it to life with a simple prototype and a few slides.
Middle School
Grades 6–8Turn an idea into a simple concept: who it helps, what it does, and what a first version looks like.
High School
Grades 9–12Define a real problem, shape a solution, and pitch it with market thinking and a believable next step.
How the day works
One day, four parts — 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
A clear beginning, middle, and end — built for any age.
- 9:00 AM1
What building looks like in 2026
How founders spot problems — and what tools, including AI, now put within anyone's reach.
- 10:15 AM2
Your competition, explained
Each division learns exactly what's expected for their age bracket.
- 11:00 AM3
Team up and build with an advisor
Small teams work with a dedicated advisor to build a deck and a simple prototype.
- 4:00 PM4
The pitch competition
Pitch to the judges. Winners and runners-up named by 6:00 PM.
Curious about the worksheet, pitch template, and rubric? See the participant toolkit →
Meet the judges
Kids pitch to people who've actually built it.
From Reddit and DoorDash to our own Columbia High School and Village Hall — a panel of local and world-class builders, weighing in with warmth.
Why it matters
The hardest part isn't ability. It's exposure.
Most kids have never been handed a framework for how an idea becomes something real. We give them that early, so they grow up seeing startups as things they can shape, not just consume, and get them ready for a lifetime of entrepreneurship. We get kids ready for even larger startup competitions, too, starting in our own backyard.
Seton Hall Pirates Pitch
Local$50K+ in prizes, here in South Orange
Held every November
…and the national & global stages beyond:
Get involved
The day runs on its people.
A warm bench of local founders, creatives, and builders is what makes SOMA Startup real — and shows kids the range of paths a maker can take.
Advisor / Mentor
Spend the day with a team, helping them shape a problem into a pitch, a deck, and a simple prototype.
Sponsor / Partner
Fund prizes, provide a venue, or supply resources — and help build a lasting local institution.
Wear it proud
Every builder takes home the 2026 shirt.
Soft heather gray, stamped with the soma / startup mark — yours the moment you step up and pitch.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
Students who live in South Orange or Maplewood, from 4th grade through 12th grade. There are three age-based divisions so everyone competes fairly.
No. You can come solo or with a team, and you can develop your idea entirely on site. We'll help you find both.
Not at all. No coding or prior experience is required. With an advisor's help you'll build a simple deck and prototype — sketches, slides, and clear thinking all count.
Registration details and any fees will be announced soon. The goal is to keep SOMA Startup highly accessible.
Each division has one winner who receives a $1,000 cash prize plus continued mentorship from founders, operators, and builders.
We'd love that. Head to the Get Involved page and tell us how you'd like to contribute.
Ready to build something this summer?
Date & venue TBD · 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM · South Orange + Maplewood, NJ. Bring an idea or find one in the room.