About this Event
The Corner Challenge: Reimagine 124 E. Orange Avenue!
$1,750 in Prizes. Five Invited Community Leaders. One Downtown Opportunity.
Your Town. Your Corner. Your Idea.
What would YOU do with 124 East Orange Avenue in downtown Lake Wales?
A new business? A creative community space? An outdoor courtyard? A destination that attracts people downtown?
Now's your chance to share your vision.
On Wednesday, January 13, 2027, Lake Wales Startup Night presents The Corner Challenge, a community pitch competition inviting local students, entrepreneurs, business owners, creators, and residents to imagine new possibilities for a property on Orange Street.
We're bringing together creative ideas and practical experience to explore what could work at this downtown location.
You don't need to own a business, have a business plan, or be an experienced presenter. You just need an idea.
The Challenge: 124 E. Orange Avenue
The Corner Challenge focuses on a real location in downtown Lake Wales.
Participants are invited to propose creative and practical ideas for available or potentially adaptable areas of the property and surrounding spaces.
Think about how the location could contribute to a stronger downtown.
Your concept might include:
- A neighborhood café or specialty food concept
- A youth-focused gathering or learning space
- A small business incubator or shared retail marketplace
- An arts, music, or creative studio
- An outdoor courtyard with seating, events, and activities
- A family-friendly entertainment destination
- A technology or coworking concept
- Something completely different!
Existing businesses and property arrangements must be respected. The competition is about exploring possibilities, not promising that a particular proposal will be built.
$1,750 in Competition Prizes!
We're planning to recognize three winning ideas:
1st Place — $1,000
2nd Place — $500
3rd Place — $250
Ideas will be evaluated on creativity, community impact, practicality, and potential economic sustainability.
Prize funding and final award rules are subject to confirmation.
Two Competition Divisions
Youth Division — Students K–12
Students from Lake Wales and surrounding communities are encouraged to participate.
Think big! What would make downtown Lake Wales a place you and your friends would want to visit?
Students may present drawings, simple visual concepts, short presentations, or verbal pitches.
A parent, guardian, or mentor may assist younger participants.
Open Division — Adults and Entrepreneurs
Open to entrepreneurs, residents, business owners, creative professionals, and anyone with an idea for the property.
Your proposal could be a business concept, community project, redevelopment idea, or creative use of the outdoor space.
No previous startup experience is required.
Five Invited Community Leaders
The Corner Challenge is being organized around five invited guests bringing different perspectives on downtown economic development:
Business Leadership: What businesses could attract customers and strengthen Orange Street?
Local Government: How do community priorities, public policy, and downtown revitalization connect?
Commercial Real Estate: What types of uses make sense for this property and location?
Development and Construction: What would it take to turn an idea into a practical project?
Entrepreneurship and Community Leadership: What ideas could create lasting value for residents and local businesses?
The invited guests will be asked to provide feedback and evaluate finalist concepts. Individual participants will be announced as confirmed.
How to Enter
Keep it simple. Prepare an idea addressing these four questions:
1. What's your idea?
Describe what you'd like to see at 124 E. Orange Avenue or in an eligible part of the surrounding site.
2. Who is it for?
Who would visit, participate, shop, work, or spend time there?
3. How would it benefit Lake Wales?
Explain what your idea would contribute to downtown, local businesses, families, young people, or visitors.
4. How could it work?
Tell us how it might operate, generate revenue, secure support, or become financially sustainable.
Finalists will be selected for presentation, subject to the competition's published entry rules.
The Pitch Format
3 Minutes to Pitch
Explain your idea, who it serves, and why it belongs on Orange Street.
3 Minutes of Questions and Feedback
Respond to questions from the invited community leaders.
You may use a drawing, photo, simple presentation, or just explain your idea.
No elaborate pitch deck required.
Event Agenda
5:45 PM — Check-In and Networking
Meet participants, entrepreneurs, and community members.
6:00 PM — Welcome to Lake Wales Startup Night
Introduction to BackTier, the competition, and the evening's program.
6:10 PM — The Corner Challenge
An overview of 124 E. Orange Avenue, the surrounding downtown area, the competition goals, and judging criteria.
6:20 PM — Meet the Five Invited Leaders
Brief introductions from leaders representing business, government, real estate, development, and entrepreneurship.
6:35 PM — The Corner Challenge Pitches
Selected participants present their ideas and receive questions and feedback.
7:35 PM — Judges' Deliberation and Community Networking
Meet fellow entrepreneurs and discuss ideas for downtown Lake Wales.
7:50 PM — Winner Recognition and Next Steps
Recognize the strongest concepts and explain how ideas may be considered for future discussion or feasibility review.
8:00 PM — Event Concludes
The number of finalists and final award schedule will be established in the published competition rules.
Who Should Attend?
Everyone interested in the future of downtown Lake Wales is welcome.
Whether you're a student with a creative idea, an entrepreneur looking for an opportunity, a real estate professional, a downtown business owner, or simply someone who cares about the community, this event is for you.
You don't have to compete to attend.
Come listen, ask questions, provide feedback, and connect with people working to make Lake Wales a stronger place to live, work, and do business.
About Lake Wales Startup Night
Lake Wales Startup Night brings entrepreneurs, innovators, business owners, students, and community leaders together to exchange ideas, build connections, and encourage economic development throughout Central Florida.
Our events focus on entrepreneurship, business development, artificial intelligence, innovation, and practical opportunities for people to turn ideas into action.
About BackTier
BackTier is an AI Visibility and digital strategy company founded by Jason AI Wade.
BackTier presents Lake Wales Startup Night to encourage entrepreneurship, community collaboration, and business innovation.
BackTier.com
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2027
Time: 6:00–8:00 PM EST
Check-In: 5:45 PM
Location: Lake Wales Latte Lounge Coffee and Bookshop, 229 East Stuart Avenue, Lake Wales, FL 33853
Competition Site: 124 East Orange Avenue, Lake Wales, Florida
Admission: Donation
Ages: All ages welcome
Presented by: BackTier
Your Town. Your Corner. Your Idea.
Competition proposals are conceptual. Participation does not convey property rights, development approval, a lease, funding, or a commitment to implement any proposal. Prize awards and property-related arrangements are subject to final confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to own a business to compete?
No. Students, residents, aspiring entrepreneurs, artists, and business owners are welcome to submit ideas.
Can children participate?
Yes. The Youth Division is intended for K–12 students. Parent or guardian permission will be required for minors entering the competition.
Do I need a business plan or presentation?
No formal business plan is required. You should be prepared to explain your idea, its community benefits, and how it could work.
Is there an entry fee?
Competition entry is planned to be free. General event admission is donation-based.
Do I have to pitch to attend?
No. Everyone is welcome to attend, listen, and participate in the community discussion.
Is the competition held at 124 E. Orange Avenue?
No. The January 13 event is scheduled at Lake Wales Latte Lounge Coffee and Bookshop, 229 E. Stuart Avenue. The competition focuses on ideas for 124 E. Orange Avenue.
Will the winning idea actually be built?
Not necessarily. Winning proposals are conceptual ideas for further consideration. Implementation would depend on the property owner's participation, feasibility, financing, permitting, and separate agreements.
How do I enter?
Submission instructions, selection deadlines, and finalist notifications will be provided when the official competition rules are released.
How will winners be chosen?
Entries will be evaluated on community impact, feasibility, creativity, economic sustainability, and presentation clarity, with age-appropriate consideration for student entrants.
Event venue & nearby stays
Lake Wales Latte Lounge Coffee and Bookshop, 229 East Stuart Avenue, Lake Wales, United States
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