Pitchdeck: Igniting Entrepreneurship at Korowa

Korowa recently hosted the inaugural Pitchdeck Entrepreneur Masterclass, a one-day interschool challenge designed to spark curiosity, creativity and confidence in tomorrow’s leaders.

The spark for Pitchdeck began at Korowa. Head of Learning Enrichment and Extension Programs Julie Beer partnered with entrepreneur Rion Ahl to create a challenge that pushes students beyond the classroom and into the world of real enterprise. With schools from across Victoria on board, Year 9 and Year 10 students were nominated by their teachers to take part for their interest in entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation.

This immersive day gave students the chance to step into the mindset of an entrepreneur, seeing challenges as opportunities, asking bold questions and daring to imagine fresh solutions.

Learning from Entrepreneurs in Action

The program began with a series of keynote presentations from leading entrepreneurs, who shared practical advice and lived experience.

Ross Milton spoke directly to the students’ level of experience, using relatable examples and encouraging them to start with a problem: What is a problem YOU can solve? His clear, purposeful approach inspired students to jot down ideas and think critically about the world around them.

Rion Ahl, co-creator of Pitchdeck, captivated the audience with humour and honesty. Rion encouraged students to embrace change, experiment with new pathways, and use the tools available to them – including AI – to research, explore, and test their ideas. His message was simple but powerful: asking questions is one of the most valuable entrepreneurial skills.

Mackenzie Casey shared her journey as a young entrepreneur, highlighting that every skill and experience – no matter how small- builds towards future opportunities. She reminded students that career paths are rarely straight lines, urging them to lean into differences and say “yes” even before they feel ready.

Each session was followed by group activities that built skills in teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking. Students were challenged to think fast, collaborate across schools, and turn small ideas into something bigger – skills essential to the entrepreneurial mindset.

The Pitchdeck Challenge

In the afternoon, students working in cross-school teams, were asked to choose a real-world problem from the list provided, analyse customer needs, and design an innovative solution.

With coaching from mentor, teams developed business models that included risk management, value propositions, and market positioning. The groups refined their ideas and pitched them to a judging panel including the keynote speakers, Professor Kim Cornish and Jasper Meckel.

Four finalist teams then presented in a high energy Shark Tank style pitch. Their creativity, teamwork and entrepreneurial courage shone through as they sharpened their delivery and integrated feedback. The winning team earned an exclusive opportunity, a tour of Parliament House with Nicole Werner MP, Shadow Assistant Minister for Youth and Future Leaders.

“I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to network and connect with peers from a variety of schools. Pitchdeck enabled us to collaborate with new people and develop our communication skills to effectively work together- culminating in a display of public speaking to showcase how we would solve pertinent and relevant issues.”
Korowa student Amelia, Year 9

How students grew through Pitchdeck

The Pitchdeck Entrepreneur Masterclass gave students more than just a taste of entrepreneurship. It gave them the chance to see themselves as innovators and leaders. By stepping outside traditional classrooms, they discovered how to:

  • apply critical thinking to real-world challenges
  • collaborate with peers from different schools
  • embrace risk and resilience in the face of uncertainty
  • communicate bold ideas with clarity and confidence

Students left inspired and equipped with practical skills they can carry into any future pathway. They were reminded that leadership is about courage, curiosity and action, and that the future is theirs to shape.

“Pitchdeck was an amazing opportunity to grow as entrepreneurs and develop our skills like public speaking, pitching ideas, and building a business while helping us to grow as learners. All of the speakers were incredibly inspiring, and we took away so many valuable lessons from each of them.”
Korowa student Addison, Year 9

Inspiring the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

Pitchdeck, for Korowa, is a clear example of what happens when we back curiosity with courage. From a concept developed within our own Learning Enrichment and Extension Programs, Pitchdeck grew into a shared stage where young innovators can step up, speak out and see what is possible.