Start With an Idea. Build Something Real.
Trout Tank gives high school students the chance to take an idea, test whether it can work, understand the numbers, and put it in front of people who can help move it forward.
More Than a Pitch Competition
Trout Tank is a place to take an idea seriously.
Students identify the problem, develop a solution, test the customer, work through the numbers, refine the model, and put it in front of people who can help move it forward.
01 START WITH AN IDEA
You do not need a finished business. Bring something worth exploring.
02 BUILD THE BUSINESS
Work through the customer, pricing, costs, competition, and how the idea can actually make money.
03 PUT IT TO THE TEST
Present it, answer hard questions, get real feedback, and take the next step.
Built for High School Entrepreneurs
You do not need a currently operating company or a perfect pitch. You need an idea you are willing to work on.
Grades 9-12
Open to students in public, private, alternative, and homeschool programs.
Solo or Team
Enter on your own or with a team. New ideas and existing student-led businesses are both welcome.
Free to Enter
Trout Tank is free for students. Cody and the surrounding region are our primary community, and neighboring communities are welcome.
Choose the Right Lane for Your Idea
Trout Tank has two divisions. The difference is not technology. It is how the business is designed to grow.
SMALL BUSINESS & COMMUNITY VENTURE
Built primarily for a local or regional market.
This can include retail, food, agriculture, tourism, services, nonprofits, community ventures, and other businesses designed to serve people close to home.
INNOVATIVE BUSINESSES
Designed to grow beyond the local market.
This can include new business models, scalable products, technology, broader markets, or ideas that bring revenue into the region from outside customers.
NOT SURE WHERE YOUR IDEA FITS?
Apply anyway. Forward Cody can help place your idea in the right category.
2026 TROUT TANK COMPETITION
This year, students will move from application to live pitch in just a few weeks. Every qualified applicant will have the opportunity to showcase their venture at Trout Tank, while six finalists will take the stage and compete for $5,000 in prize money.
KEY DATES:
Applications Open
October 5
Applications Close
October 25
Finalists Announced
October 30
Final Materials Due
November 13 at 5:00 PM
Trout Tank
November 17
Holiday Inn • Cody, Wyoming
$5,000 IN PRIZES
Three finalists will compete in each division.
1ST PLACE — $1,500
2ND PLACE — $750
3RD PLACE — $250
Prizes are awarded in both the Small Business & Community Venture and Innovative Business divisions.
How to Enter
Applying is simple. You will submit a short pitch, a basic deck, and a financial worksheet that shows you understand how the business could work.
1. TELL US THE IDEA
Complete the application and explain the problem, customer, solution, and how the business makes money.
2. SHOW US THE BUSINESS
Submit a pitch deck of up to 10 slides and complete the Trout Tank Business Financial Worksheet.
3. MAKE THE PITCH
Submit a video pitch of up to 3 minutes. Finalists will be invited to pitch live at Trout Tank on November 17.
More Than a Final Pitch
Trout Tank is built to give students more than a few minutes on stage. It is a chance to show what they are building, meet people who can help, and leave with momentum.
STUDENT SHOWCASE
Qualified applicants receive space to showcase their venture during the event.
Meet attendees, explain the idea, answer questions, and make connections that could help move the business forward.
LIVE FINALIST PITCHES
Six finalists — three from each division — will pitch live, answer questions from the judges, and compete for the $5,000 prize pool.
COMMUNITY SEED MONEY
Attendees can also contribute directly to student ventures during the showcase. Community Seed Money is separate from judging and 100% of each contribution goes to the student venture.
Everything You Need to Get Started
Review the rules, work through the numbers, and submit your application when you are ready.
RULES & QUALIFICATIONS
See who can enter, what qualifies, how teams work, and what to expect from the competition.
VIEW THE RULES
FINANCIAL WORKSHEET
Use the Trout Tank worksheet to work through pricing, costs, customers, startup needs, and whether the business can work.
Don’t use Google? Download the Excel version instead.
COPY THE GOOGLE WORKSHEETAPPLICATION
Ready to enter? Submit your idea, pitch deck, financial worksheet, and short video.
START YOUR APPLICATION
Common Questions:
Do I need to already have a business?
Can I enter with a a friend or team?
Does my idea have to involve technology?
Can nonprofits or community projects enter?
Do I have to live in Cody?
What if I am not sure which division to choose?
Can I work with a mentor or adult advisor?
What if I have questions?
Join Us at Trout Tank!
The competition comes to life on November 17. Come meet the students, hear the pitches, and support the ideas being built here.
COME SEE IT LIVE
Open to the public, purchase tickets in advance.
November 17, 2026
Holiday Inn
Cody, Wyoming
Doors open at 5:30 PM
Program begins at 6:00 PM
WATCH. ASK QUESTIONS. HELP AN IDEA GROW.
Meet student entrepreneurs, see all qualified ventures in the showcase, watch six finalists pitch live, and support the ideas you want to see move forward.
Members: $25
Public: $35
Under 18: Free
