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15 Business Competitions for High School Students

What’s covered:, why should you enter an investing competition, how do business competitions affect my admissions chances.

Whether you dream of being a billionaire businessman like Mark Cuban, an investment icon like Warren Buffet, or a founder who’s focused on giving back like Hamdi Ulukaya, the creator and CEO of Chobani, entering a business competition for high schoolers is often a great first step toward a successful enterprise.

Business competitions are a great opportunity to show off your entrepreneurial spirit while gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges of starting and running a business. Business competitions allow you to highlight in-demand skills like idea generation, creative thinking, leadership, and communication. They also give you a chance to learn about building a business and to test your ideas in a relatively risk-free environment—after all, there is no capital or investment to lose. 

Many business competitions will also connect you with real-life professionals and college business school faculty. This creates both the chance for mentorship and the foundation of a business network that can serve you both inside and outside of the classroom—it can help with everything from gaining college admission to getting a business off the ground. 

Business competitions for high schoolers also often provide winners with monetary awards or scholarships which are beneficial for keeping the cost of college down—something every aspiring business person can appreciate. 

1. Conrad Challenge

Date(s): 2023 dates announced in August Type: Global 

This business challenge tasks students between ages 13 and 18 to apply science and technology to solve global issues, create a pitch, and build a business plan. Participants work in teams of two to five students to compete in four traditional categories and one special category that changes annually. The four traditional categories are:

• Aerospace and aviation 
• Cyber technology and security 
• Energy and environment 
• Health and Nutrition 

The 2021/2022 special category was “re-purposed farmlands and alternative uses of tobacco (and its by-products)”. 

2. Blue Ocean High School Entrepreneur Pitch Competition

Date(s): 2/18/22 Type: Global 

The Blue Ocean High School Entrepreneur Pitch Competition is one of the world’s most prestigious business competitions for high school students. Participants can work alone or in teams of up to five to generate an innovative product or service that the world needs and pitch it in a maximum five-minute-long video. 

3. Youth Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition

Date(s): 4/1/22-9/15/22

Type: Global

Individuals between the ages of 13 and 29 are invited to participate in this business competition focused on using entrepreneurship to solve global issues. Participants are challenged to create or implement an idea, project, concept, solution, or initiative with a societal impact that addresses one of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals . 

4. Wharton Global High School Investment Competition

Dates: 9/22-4/23

The Wharton Global High School Investment Competition is a highly regarded business competition for high schoolers and is open to students in grades nine through 12. Participants are required to examine a case study of a potential client and create a portfolio that meets their long-term goals using $100,000 in hypothetical funds. Unlike investment competitions that select winners based on the performance of their portfolio, Wharton Global High School Investment Competition winners are chosen based on the strength and articulation of their investment strategy. 

5. Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (GYEC)

Date(s): 5/28/21

The GYEC is a 12-hour, online, worldwide business competition for high school students ages 14 through 19. Participants work in teams of up to eight students—each ideally possessing broad and complementary skill sets—to solve a significant global problem using an innovative and sustainable enterprise idea. Winning teams will receive a trophy along with an award certificate.

6. GENIUS Olympiad Business 

Date(s): 4/18/22-6/18/22

Participants in the GENIUS Olympiad compete in numerous categories (including business) focused on environmental issues. Students can compete in one of two business tracks: entrepreneurship or social responsibility. Both tracks require the participant to deliver a presentation as if they were making a real pitch for funding—dressing in formal business attire and including an accompanying PowerPoint presentation.

7. Diamond Challenge   

Date(s): 1/7/21-4/23/22

Type: National 

This well-known high school business competition is an initiative of Horn Entrepreneurship

at the University of Delaware. The challenge features two tracks for participants to compete, business innovation and social innovation. Both tracks require participants to work in teams of two to four students, to submit a concept narrative, and provide a pitch deck. Diamond Challenge offers substantial awards to its winners—first place takes home $11,000, second place $7,500, and third place $3,750. 

8. Pirates Pitch Competition for High School Students  

Date(s): 9/22-11/22

This Pirates Pitch Competition for High School Students is provided by Seton Hall University and is aimed at teaching high schoolers the basics of entrepreneurship and idea generation. To enter the competition, participants must submit a business idea in 350 words or less. Finalists will need to pitch their idea to judges in a live virtual event. Competition winners receive both a cash prize and a generous scholarship to Seton Hall.

9. Yale DHSRI High School Investment Competition

Dates: 2/22-4/22

The Yale DHSRI High School Investment Competition is hosted by the Dwight Hall Socially Responsible Investment Fund at Yale University, the nation’s oldest undergraduate-run socially responsible investment fund. Competing in teams of two or four students, high schoolers (students in grades nine through 12 are eligible to participate) build a portfolio using $100,000 in virtual funds and ultimately submit a final investment report that outlines their strategy, learning process, and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) themes. 

10. DECA Challenges

Dates: Varies 

For three-quarters of a century, DECA has been helping to prepare future entrepreneurs and leaders in marketing, finance, and hospitality. DECA has more than 3,000 high school chapters and 175,000 members. Throughout the year, DECA issues many challenges to its members, many of which are business focused and require participants to demonstrate specific skills and knowledge.  

11. tecBRIDGE High School Business Plan Competition 

Dates: 3/18/22-4/21/22 

STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math)-based business is at the heart of the tecBridge High School Business Plan Competition. Participants are expected to create sustainable and scalable concepts, answer a series of questions, and deliver a ten-minute-long presentation. Students are also expected to demonstrate creativity, critical thinking, and top-notch presentation skills.

12. The Big Idea Competition 

Date(s): 10/31/22-12/7/22

Young entrepreneurs are challenged to think of ways to make the world a better place to live by using business to implement change in this high school business competition. The competition is open to all high school students and requires them to submit a 1,075-word description of their business idea. Nearly $35,000 in prizes are awarded annually, including a $1,000 first prize. 

13. High School Utah Entrepreneur Challenge (HSUEC)

Date(s): 2/21/21-3/26/22

Type: State

Utah high school students ages 14 to 18 can show off their entrepreneurial spirit and innovative ideas in this business competition. Students are encouraged to form teams of up to five students to compete in the HSUEC and are required to submit a business proposal that details:

• the opportunity or problem the business/product addresses
• the solution or improvement the business/product provides
• the market the business/product competes in, its target customer, and what sets it apart from the competition 

Participants must also submit a prototype in any medium of what their idea, product, or service will look like. 

14. West Virginia High School Business Plan Competition 

Date(s): 11/12/22-4/6/22 

The West Virginia High School Business Plan Competition is open to West Virginia students in grades nine through 12. The competition is aimed at helping high schoolers learn how to move a business idea from conception to action. Participants can compete either as an individual or in teams of up to four people. Submissions to the contest are in the form of a maximum 90-second YouTube video that addresses three key points:

• the business product or service
• the problem or opportunity and why is it a problem or opportunity 
• the customer and how the product/service solves their problem

15. Wisconsin High School Business Model Competition

Date(s): 4/20/22 – 5/21/22 

This awesome business competition—open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors—is presented by the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s Alta Resources Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Students can compete alone or in teams of up to three and are asked to present an idea or solution to a problem that could lead to a business. Finalists will need to deliver a four-minute-long pitch to a panel of judges. Prizes include cash awards as well as scholarships to UW Oshkosh.  

Business competitions can have varying levels of influence on your odds of getting accepted into college. Everything from the prestige of the competition to where you are placed to the value a college places on extracurricular activities like business competitions can impact the weight they’re given by an admissions office.

The four tiers of extracurricular activities are useful for better understanding how colleges consider your activities outside of the classroom. Top-tier activities (those in tiers one and two) include participation in the most well-thought-of and distinguished competitions. Winning or placing highly in a top-tier competition can significantly improve your admissions odds. Less prominent and lesser-known competitions fall into tiers three and four. Lower-tiered activities don’t hold the same sway over admissions offices and have less effect on admissions chances. 

Interested in learning how your participation in a business competition influences your odds of getting into your dream school? CollegeVine can help! Our free chancing calculator considers factors such as grades, test scores, and extracurriculars to estimate your odds of getting into hundreds of colleges and universities while also providing insight into how to improve your profile.

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Unleashing Potential: Top Business Competitions for High School Students

By Surya Ramanathan

Johns Hopkins University, B.S. in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, B.S. in Economics, and M.S. in Applied Economics

6 minute read

Business competitions are the ultimate training ground for budding entrepreneurs, where strategic thinking, creativity, and a flair for innovation take center stage. These dynamic contests aren’t solely about the thrill of competition, but also about crafting your entrepreneurial identity, expanding your horizons, and gaining valuable life skills.

Here, we’ll unravel the top nine (in no particular order) business competitions tailored for high school students, each a gateway to a world of possibilities. Whether you dream of revolutionizing industries, solving pressing global issues, or simply want to dive into the fascinating realm of commerce, these competitions are your chance to shine!

The Benefits of Student Business Competitions

Before we delve into the list, it’s important to look at the benefits of participating in a business competition for high school students, and deciding whether it’s a proper step forward for you. Taking part in business competitions offers numerous benefits including:

Skill Development: Enhance critical skills such as problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and time management

Networking: Connect with like-minded individuals, mentors, and professionals in the business world

Resume Enhancement: Bolster your college applications and future job prospects with demonstrated experience and achievements

Exposure to Real-World Challenges: Tackle authentic business problems, preparing you for the complexities of the corporate world

Scholarships and Prizes: Earn scholarships, cash prizes, and mentorship opportunities that can support your education and ventures

Business Competitions for High Schoolers

1. virtual enterprises international business plan competition.

Hosting institution: Virtual Enterprises International

Awards: Varies by region; often scholarships and mentoring opportunities

Entry deadline: Late February

Competition date: Held throughout spring, championship round mid-April

The Virtual Enterprises International Business Plan Competition invites high school students to simulate real-world entrepreneurship. Participants craft comprehensive business plans, incorporate financial projects, formulate marketing strategies, and create operational frameworks. During the competition, teams present their innovative business concepts to a panel of judges, honing their presentation and critical thinking skills through the Q&A portion. This event fosters entrepreneurial understanding and offers a glimpse into the dynamic realm of global business.

2. DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC)

Hosting institution: DECA Inc.

Awards: Scholarships

Entry deadline: Varies by region

Competition date: Held throughout winter into spring

DECA’s International Career Development Conference is a pinnacle event for high school entrepreneurs and future business leaders. Students compete in various categories, including marketing, entrepreneurship, hospitality, and more. They showcase their talents through presentations, role-plays, and written projects, demonstrating their prowess in critical decision-making, creative thinking, and effective communication. In order to qualify for ICDC, students typically must qualify at the district and state levels. The experience gained at ICDC is invaluable, providing students with a platform to challenge themselves and receive recognition for their business acumen.

3. National High School Ethics Bowl

Hosting institution: The Prindle Institute for Ethics

Awards: Recognition and opportunities for scholarship

Entry deadline: Early November for initial registration, Mid-January for late registration (higher fee)

Competition date: Throughout spring, championship round mid-April

The National High School Ethics Bowl engages young minds in discussions about ethical dilemmas prevalent in society. Teams explore complex ethical issues, deliberate various perspectives, and present well-reasoned arguments. This competition cultivates critical thinking, collaboration, and moral reasoning abilities. Participants learn to navigate challenging ethical terrain, preparing them to make thoughtful decisions in both personal and professional environments.

Research and Prepare for your Competition or Fair

Polygence pairs you with an expert mentor in your area of passion. Together, you work to create a high quality research project that is uniquely your own. Our highly-specialized mentors can help guide you to feel even more prepared for an upcoming fair or competion. We also offer options to explore multiple topics, or to showcase your final product!

4. Conrad Challenge

Hosting institution: Conrad Foundation

Awards: Scholarships, admittance to entrepreneurial accelerators, recognition

Entry deadline: Early November

Competition date: Mid-January to Late April

The Conrad Challenge propels high school students towards addressing pressing global challenges using innovative solutions. Teams research, design, and develop entrepreneurial projects that align with specific categories, such as aerospace, energy, health, or cyber-technology. By fostering creativity and entrepreneurship, this challenge empowers students to become change makers and problem solvers, addressing real-world issues with actionable plans and creative innovations.

5. National Leadership Conference (NLC)

Hosting institution: Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)

Awards: Scholarships, recognition

Entry deadline: Early April

Competition date: Late June - Early July

The National Leadership is the pinnacle of FBLA events, attracting thousands of students from across the nation. Participants engage in a variety of competitive events, including business presentations, tests of business knowledge, and interactive role-playing scenarios. The conference provides a platform for showcasing skills, networking with peers, and gaining insights into the world of business. Similar to DECA, students will need to qualify at both the district and state levels to reach NLC.

6. TiE Young Entrepreneurs (TYE) Global Business Plan Competition

Hosting institution: The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE)

Awards: Scholarships, mentorship, and networking opportunities

Entry deadline: Fall

Competition date: Spring

The TYE Global Business Plan Competition empowers young entrepreneurs to design comprehensive business plans. Participants refine their ideas, develop financial models, and pitch their startups to a panel of seasoned entrepreneurs. This competition fosters innovation and prepares students for the complexities of the startup world. Students start off in classroom-like environments to learn about the basics of business, and then have the ability to take part in competitions and apply what they learned.

7. National Personal Finance Challenge

Hosting institution: Council on Economic Education

Awards: $2,000 cash prize

Entry deadline: Spring

Competition date: Finals held in Late May

The National Personal Finance Challenge evaluates students’ knowledge of economics and financial literacy. Participants engage in rigorous competitions that test their understanding of economic concepts, applications, and financial decision-making. This challenge enhances students’ economic literacy and equips them with the financial knowledge needed for success in both personal finance and the business world. 

8. Global Stock Pitch Competition

Hosting institution: Young Investors Society (YIS)

Awards: Cash prizes and internship opportunities

Competition date: May

The YIS Global Stock Pitch Competition challenges high school students to analyze and present investment ideas. Participants conduct in-depth research on stocks, dissect financial statements, and propose investment strategies. This competition promotes analytical thinking and market understanding, providing a stepping stone for budding finance professionals and investors.

9. International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)

Hosting institution: Various country organizations

Awards: Gold, silver, and bronze medals based on performance

Entry deadline: Varies by country

Competition date: July

The IMO is a prestigious competition that tests high school students’ advanced mathematical problem-solving abilities. While not directly business-related, IMO fosters critical thinking, logical reasoning, and analytical skills, all crucial attributes for various professions including those in business and finance, as well as opening opportunities in quantitative finance. Participants tackle complex mathematical challenges and compete on an international stage, showcasing their academic prowess and problem-solving capabilities.

Students in the United States should refer to the Mathematical Association of America’s website for additional information about participating in this international competition.

Preparing to Participate in a Business Competition For Students

Embarking on a journey into the world of business competitions can pave the way for a successful and fulfilling career. Each competition presents a unique opportunity to learn and grow while making a positive impact on society. So, pick a competition that aligns with your interests, gather your team, and let your entrepreneurial spirit shine! Good luck with your business venture!

Want to hone your business skills with expert advice on a business-focused project? Learn more about Polygence’s high school research project program and our team of exceptional research mentors .

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Top 10 Business Competitions for High School Students

Indigo Research Team

In today's era, entrepreneurship is trending. It is positioned as a valuable skill that teens should develop. Participating in student business competitions is the best way to go about it.

Over the years, the colleges and business schools have shifted their focus towards entrepreneurship. Popularity shows such as Shark Tank have added to the hype. 

If you are a business-minded high school student with a passion for problem-solving and is motivated by competition, this post is for you! We know how highly colleges value entrepreneurship, so we have compiled a list of top 10 business competitions for high school students.

1. The Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition

Registrations for one of the most prestigious business competitions for students are now open. Founded and supported by high school students, The Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition is a virtual entrepreneurship competition. 

Appealing to the young, 139 US News and World Report, Top 250 STEM high schools have taken advantage of this competition by participating in it. This global competition has had students from 5 continents and 146 countries. 

The competition has grown exponentially since the beginning of the competition nine years ago. Expanding from state to international competition, this competition has exposed 15000 high school students to the real world. 

Once you walk through the registration process, you get to network with fellow students and mentors from all around the globe. You can interact with them and seek mentorship and support. The brainstorming and Q&A sessions would help you get valuable feedback. 

How To Participate?

All the participants, once registered, are equipped with a starter pack of business plan templates. These templates help set the perfect pitch and provide you with resources to minimize risk and maximize opportunities. 

Each participant should prepare a 5-minute pitch. The participants can pitch individually and as a team if they want. 

Points To Note

Eligibility Criteria : All participants in the competition must be of high school age (14-18 years old at time of registration) Prize : Cash prize: $500-$1000, Certificates, Sponsored internship for the winner Registration : February 2024, however, registration is now open for the year 2025 Competition Dates : February - April Location : Virtual / Online

2. Diamond Challenge

Initiated by the University of Delaware's Horn Entrepreneurship department, the Diamond Challenge welcomes high school students from all around the globe. Competing teams may include 2 to 4 high school students and a teacher. 

Every year, the team with the most promising ideas gets the prize money to fund their dream. Supporting higher education aspirations, the awarded prize helps the team develop their venture. 

Each participant is allowed to make the most of this competition. They network with like-minded people, get valuable expert feedback, and achieve their full potential with future collaborations. 

How To Participate? 

This five-step competition includes a submission round, pitch round, semifinal round, top 18 round, and the final round. The teams are required to choose between two tracks: Business Innovation and Social Innovation. 

Early submission should be done virtually. The initial submission would require a written concept, just like a business plan with an excellent pitch. Semi-finalists are invited to the University of Delaware for live competition. 

Eligibility Criteria : High school students (National and International) Prize : Cash prize: $4,500-$12,000 Registration : Typically, it opens in August, with initial submissions due any time between late December and early January.  Competition Dates : Teams develop their concepts in September, culminating at the April Summit. Location : Virtual early submission and semi-finalists present live ‍

3. Wharton Global High School Investment Competition

The Wharton Global High School Investment competition is an experiential investment challenge for high school students. This high school investment competition is free of cost. Anyone who meets the criteria can register.

Students gather in teams of 4-7, along with a teacher to guide them. These students get access to an online stock market simulator where they learn about teamwork, risk management, strategy, industry analysis, and more investment aspects. 

One of the most prestigious business schools, The Wharton School of Business, exposes you to teams from around the globe. These teams help nurture the entrepreneurial mindset from a young age and polish your finance skills. 

Like most investment competitions for high school students , this ten-week crash course spins around pitch development, business analysis, portfolio building, and investment.

You participate from your school and submit two deliverables that will be shortlisted for a semifinal round. Top 10 teams can pitch their ideas at Wharton Global Finale for funding. 

Eligibility Criteria : High school students (National and International)

Prize : The winning team gets a complimentary spot in the Wharton Online Summer Program 

Registration : June - September

Competition Dates : September - April

Location : Virtual pitching rounds with a final presentation at the UPenn

4. GENIUS Olympiad (Business)

Targeting high school students in grades 8 through 12, Genius Olympiad is an international social responsibility competition. 

As part of international business competitions for high school students, the participants can submit projects belonging to diverse categories: Art, Writing, Business, Robotics, and more. 

The main objective of the Genius Olympiad is to invite solutions that can be used to solve environmental issues. Students can participate in two categories: Social Responsibility and Entrepreneurship. 

Striving to decrease the human impact, you will work on a new product or technology. You have the option of offering improvements to existing products or technologies. You can come up with greener and more sustainable choices. 

Combining engineering, science, and business ideas, the product or solution should be backed by a business plan and a launch plan.

In the Business category, the participants devise a business plan that describes their pro-environmental venture. These participants can work individually or in pairs. Their business plan must be 15 pages or fewer with a 2-page executive summary.

The projects are presented to the judges as business pitches using PowerPoint or Prezi. The presentation should be restricted to 10 minutes. 

However, the students are encouraged to bring models, mock-ups, or prototypes of the described technology. Finalists are then invited to attend the GENIUS Olympiad event.

Eligibility Criteria : High school students from grades 8 through 12 (National and International) Prize : Certificates, renewable scholarships of up to $25,000 Registration : November - March Competition Dates : June Location : Virtual and live

5. Cooper Hewitt Design Competition

The Cooper Hewitt Design Competition instills design thinking to overcome real-world problems. Consider it a research-based entrepreneurial solution. This competition will benefit a stellar college application if data science excites you!

Once you register as a participant, you will be guided using data visualization. You will be amazed to know how effective data visualization is when communicating and solving real-world challenges. 

You have the option of submitting both primary and secondary data. This data will be screened in two phases. All finalists are mentored by some of the biggest names in the data industry. 

Since it's an online business competition for high school students , the finalists present their projects at the Virtual Judging Weekend at Cooper Hewitt. Before their presentation, the finalists are mentored by reputed individuals in data design. 

For this challenge, your entry will be judged based on: innovation, impact, relevance, and communication. 

If a career in data design, data analysis, or data science excites you, participating in this competition will add volumes to your experience - highly beneficial for a stellar college application!

Eligibility Criteria : Students aged 13-19 can register individually or in teams of up to 3 students Prize : Certificates, a gift package worth $500 from SHOP Cooper Hewitt, and a Family membership to Cooper Hewitt. Registration : November - March Competition Dates : April-June Location : Virtual / Online

6. The SAGE GLOBAL Competitions

SAGE hosts one of the best entrepreneurship competitions for high school students . This annual challenge guides students through solving global issues through innovative thinking by entrepreneurs. 

The Sage Global competitions expose students to opportunities where they submit an annual report and then give a live presentation related to a sustainable business plan. They also get access to the curriculum and experienced mentors. 

The competition is divided by location. The SAGE competitions begin with state, regional, and national competitions. These competitions are followed by the World Cup, held at different locations. he registrations are now open for August 2024. 

High School students and undergraduate students are eligible to participate in the competition. All you have to do is team up and identify a global need. Once the need is identified, create a social enterprise that solves this need. 

If you get shortlisted internationally, your team will present your final pitch to a panel of judges. 

Eligibility Criteria : All students between 13-19 years of age Prize: Certificates and cash prizes Registration : Submissions are open for acceptance Competition Dates : August 2024 Location : Virtual / Online

7. CONRAD Spirit of Innovation

The Conrad Challenge is a purpose-driven innovation challenge that targets aspiring minds from all around the globe. If you are interested in Energy & Environment and Health & Nutrition, Cyber-Technology & Security, Aerospace & Aviation, this competition is for you. As a high school student between ages 13-18, you can make friends with like-minded people. Together, you get to apply science, innovation, and technology and solve problems with a global impact. The competition aims to expand creativity, communication skills, critical thinking, and collaboration with the support of industry experts. 

Given the success of this competition over the years,  they have expanded their reach and partnered with Space Center Houston to maximize the impact. The Conrad Challenge has always pushed boundaries by equipping entrepreneurs with innovation. 

You can participate in the challenge if you are from ages 13 through 18. You are required to join a team of 2-5 students. Your team members can compete from any part of the world. 

You can form a team with your siblings, camp friends, schoolmates, or anyone in the required age bracket. You can compete yearly if you meet the age criteria and other requirements. 

Eligibility Criteria : All students between 13-18 years of age, in teams of 2-5 students Prize : Certificates, the "Pete Conrad Scholar" award, scholarships to universities, as well as discounted access to professional services for the winning team Registration : Applications open from August to November Competition Dates : January - April Location : Virtual / Online

8. DECA FIDM Entrepreneur of Tomorrow Challenge 

If you are searching for summer business competitions for high school students, look at the FIDM Entrepreneur of Tomorrow Challenge. This is a distinctive DECA competition. You can pick the niche of your choice for the competition. DECA events aim to contribute positively to research and career readiness, along with a sharp business mindset for the participants. 

High school students are prompted to present an entrepreneurial proposal for an innovative product for a specific market segment. These segments may include food, home, entertainment, clothing, beauty, and health. 

Learn more about DECA Competitions , this is a full guide for high school students. This guide elaborates on the benefits of joining DECA and is a detailed step-by-step guide on how you can join the DECA competition.

You can participate as an individual or a team of up to 3 members of the DECA chapter. Each team has to create the prototype, marketing, and distribution strategy. 

As a participant, you would be required to submit a short video presentation (4 minutes or less) where you describe your product type, target market, market potential, pricing, distribution, and launch plan. 

Eligibility Criteria : All high school students (national and international) Prize : Certificates, awards, and cash prizes of up to $500 Registration : Applications open early in the year  Competition Dates : Variable, you can find the DECA Calendar of Events here Location : Virtual / Online

9. FCCLA Virtual Business Challenge

The FCCLA Virtual Business competition is a prestigious competition that measures finance and fashion management skills. It enables the participants to understand and control the aspects of stimulation. 

You must utilize your personal finance and fashion management skills for this competition. Once you finish the registration, you can check your team's real-time score on the FCCLA's website. 

This course allows FCCLA members to develop "skills for life." They do so through character development, creativity, critical thinking, career preparation, and interpersonal communication. 

The Virtual Business Challenge focuses on distinctive concepts found within simulation. The FCCLA Virtual Business Challenge is composed of two competition rounds. Teams have the option of participating in either one or both rounds. The National Championship round will only be open for qualifying teams and will be online only. 

Eligibility Criteria : All high school students in the USA Prize : Certificates, awards, website recognition and cash prizes of up to $1000 Registration : October Competition Dates : October to February Location : Virtual / Online 

10. World Series of Innovation (NFTE)

NFTE's World Series of Innovation is an entrepreneurial competition. This competition allows high school students to pitch innovative ideas as solutions to real-world challenges.

NFTE's WSI invites young minds to purposely get involved in some of the biggest challenges humanity faces today. Consider this as an initiative to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

You sign up by accepting the challenge of your choice on the website. Then, you get started with the challenge. Brainstorm and come up with different solutions to real-world challenges. Don't limit yourself, go wild!

Participants must choose from the listed challenges ranging from climate change to clean energy and everything in between. People aged 13 through 24 can participate as individuals or teams of up to 3 participants. 

Judging of the proposed solutions takes place in multiple rounds. 

Eligibility Criteria : Ages 13 to 24 can compete in teams of one, two, or three participants Prize : Prizes ranging from $300 to $1500 Registration : September Competition Dates : January to March Location : Virtual / Online

Wrapping Up!

Entrepreneurship competitions for high school students are an excellent way for students to get real-life experience. This educational opportunity lets students plan and present a business or develop a terrific pitch. 

Regardless of your future field of activity, you will find entrepreneurship skills useful in your adult life. Participation in business competitions for high school students will enable you to develop various skills, including creativity, problem-solving, and everything in between. 

Entrepreneurship is a lifelong process, the initiative of being an entrepreneur is not enough. You need to have a continuous willingness to learn along the way. In our upcoming IRIS Summer Program, you will have a chance to learn from an MIT Professor, who specializes in Global Entrepreneurship. In this course, you will learn MBA-style case studies that will surely elevate your entrepreneurial spirit!

Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition

2024 blue ocean student entrepreneur competition winners.

Preparing High School Students for the Real World of Entrepreneurship and Empowering Them to Create Blue Ocean Businesses.

Compete Globally, Pitch Virtually

The Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition is a virtual competition that attracts the very best high school-aged entrepreneurs from all over the world.

Every year, thousands of high school students pitch their innovative business concepts to experienced entrepreneurs and business people, receive feedback on their ideas, join a community of like-minded students, and compete for thousands in cash prizes.

Participating is Easy

How is the Blue Ocean Competition Different from Other Pitch Competitions?

Other pitch competitions, blue ocean competition, why compete.

The World's Largest Virtual Entrepreneurship Competition for High School Students

Record-breaking 2024 blue ocean competition participation., participants, countries and territories.

Join high school students from all over the globe

Check if your school has participated here .

161 countries already represented and counting!

🇦🇫 Afghanistan 🇦🇱 Albania 🇩🇿 Algeria 🇦🇴 Angola 🇦🇷 Argentina 🇦🇺 Australia 🇦🇹 Austria 🇧🇸 Bahamas 🇧🇩 Bangladesh 🇧🇿 Belize 🇧🇯 Benin 🇧🇴 Bolivia 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇼 Botswana 🇧🇷 Brazil 🇧🇬 Bulgaria 🇧🇮 Burundi 🇰🇭 Cambodia 🇨🇲 Cameroon 🇨🇦 Canada 🇨🇻 Cape Verde 🇰🇾 Cayman Islands 🇹🇩 Chad

🇨🇱 Chile 🇨🇳 China 🇨🇴 Colombia 🇨🇷 Costa Rica 🇨🇮 Cote d'Ivoire 🇭🇷 Croatia 🇨🇩 DR Congo 🇩🇯 Djibouti 🇩🇴 Dom Republic 🇪🇨 Ecuador 🇪🇬 Egypt 🇸🇻 El Salvador 🇪🇹 Ethiopia 🇫🇴 Faroe Islands 🇫🇯 Fiji 🇫🇮 Finland 🇫🇷 France 🇬🇲 Gambia 🇬🇪 Georgia 🇩🇪 Germany 🇬🇭 Ghana 🇬🇷 Greece 🇬🇹 Guatemala

🇬🇳 Guinea 🇬🇾 Guyana 🇭🇹 Haiti 🇭🇰 Hong Kong 🇭🇺 Hungary 🇮🇳 India 🇮🇩 Indonesia 🇮🇶 Iraq 🇮🇪 Ireland 🇮🇱 Israel 🇮🇹 Italy 🇯🇲 Jamaica 🇯🇵 Japan 🇯🇴 Jordan 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan 🇰🇪 Kenya 🇽🇰 Kosovo 🇱🇧 Lebanon 🇱🇸 Lesotho 🇱🇷 Liberia 🇱🇾 Libya 🇱🇹 Lithuania 🇲🇰 Macedonia

🇲🇬 Madagascar 🇲🇼 Malawi 🇲🇾 Malaysia 🇲🇱 Mali 🇲🇺 Mauritius 🇲🇽 Mexico 🇲🇩 Moldova 🇲🇳 Mongolia 🇲🇪 Montenegro 🇲🇦 Morocco 🇲🇿 Mozambique 🇲🇲 Myanmar 🇳🇦 Namibia 🇳🇵 Nepal 🇳🇱 Netherlands Antilles 🇳🇿 New Zealand 🇳🇮 Nicaragua 🇳🇪 Niger 🇳🇬 Nigeria 🇳🇴 Norway 🇴🇲 Oman 🇵🇰 Pakistan 🇵🇸 Palestine 🇵🇦 Panama

🇵🇪 Peru 🇵🇭 Philippines 🇵🇱 Poland 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇶🇦 Qatar 🇷🇴 Romania 🇷🇺 Russia 🇷🇼 Rwanda 🇰🇳 Saint Kitts and Nevis 🇻🇨 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia 🇸🇳 Senegal 🇷🇸 Serbia 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone 🇸🇬 Singapore 🇸🇰 Slovakia 🇸🇴 Somalia 🇿🇦 South Africa 🇰🇷 South Korea 🇪🇸 Spain 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka 🇸🇩 Sudan 🇸🇷 Suriname

🇸🇿 Swaziland 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇹🇼 Taiwan 🇹🇿 Tanzania 🇹🇭 Thailand 🇹🇬 Togo 🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇳 Tunisia 🇹🇷 Turkey 🇹🇨 Turks and Caicos Islands 🇺🇬 Uganda 🇺🇦 Ukraine 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇺🇾 Uruguay 🇺🇸 USA 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan 🇻🇳 Viet Nam 🇿🇲 Zambia 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe ... + more!

What Inspired the Competition?

The Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition is inspired by Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne’s global bestseller Blue Ocean Strategy

Blue Ocean Strategy inspires high school students to:

• start looking at the world with a new perspective;
• see possibilities where other see boundaries;
• see growth where others see constraints;
• solve problems that have never been solved before;
• create solutions using systematic tools and frameworks;
• start businesses that will make this world a better place for all of us!

Why Students Love to Participate

“ The Blue Ocean Competition has been an amazing opportunity to fuel my desire to create my own business with one of my best friends. The competition has gained us attention and opened doors we never could have imagined.”

North County HS '17

“The Blue Ocean Entrepreneur Competition encourages students to dive deep into their own ideas. It offers a unique opportunity to develop the practical skills necessary to realize any vision.”

Saratoga HS ‘20

“ The Blue Ocean Pitch Competition was a fantastic platform for us to not just get validation for our idea but also learn about many new innovative products and services created by other high school students like us.”

The Harker School - San Jose ‘19

Why Teachers Get Involved

“The competition enriches the marketing curriculum and provides students with essential entrepreneurial, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration skills to prepare them for the future.”

Business Education Teacher , Ward Melville HS, NY

“There is an essential curriculum that must be covered in the course, but we also are allowed to add onto that curriculum to enrich the experience for the students. That is what I did through the Blue Ocean competition and the online course.”

Business and Marketing Teacher Centennial HS, MD , Pillager HS, MN

Get Involved

Develop entrepreneurial skills and experience that will set you up for success.

Prepare your students for the real world of entrepreneurship.

Share your expertise to help high school students become better entrepreneurs.

Empower high school students to change the world for the better.

Ambassadors

Inspire your peers to create innovative solutions to real-life problems.

Global Partners

Make the competition accessible to all high schoolers around the world.

Recent Winners

More than 9,800 students took part in the 2024 competition. Check out the inspiring winning blue ocean pitches .

More than 5,200 students took part in the 2023 competition. Check out the inspiring winning blue ocean pitches .

More than 2500 students took part in the 2022 competition. Check out the inspiring winning blue ocean pitches .

More than 2000 students took part in the 2022 competition. Check out the inspiring winning blue ocean pitches .

Young Tycoons Business Challenge 2023

In collaboration with Harvard Model Congress (HMC)

YTBC at a Glimpse

YTBC was the biggest entrepreneurship learning festival for teenagers globally, launched in 2021. Here are some of its Highlights.

• 80+ COUNTRIES
• 2400+ SCHOOLS
• 20,000+ STUDENTS
• 7000+ Applications
• 15+ WINNERS
• $10,000+ REWARDS

YTBC Student Media Coverage

YTBC Student Testimonials

HIGH SCHOOL ENTREPRENEURS

Team Disolv, YTBC Winners

The Young Tycoons Business Challenge is one of the most impactful and novel business plan competitions launched in 2023 engaging aspiring high-school entrepreneurs (Grades 8-12) from across the world.

Participating teams get a chance to get mentored by silicon valley mentors, global leaders and leverage our resource materials, webinars, boot camps and support.

The most impactful Business Plan Competition for High School students

• Pitch-Learn-Pitch Format
• Mentorship from Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs
• Workshops from Ivy League Entrepreneurship Clubs
• Mention on our Social Media Handles
• $1,000 worth of rewards and prizes
• Participation certificates co-signed by competition partners

Participating teams build their skills along the way

Competition Timeline

Eligibility Criteria

01 Grade High School Students (between Grade 8-12) can participate in this competition & take a step closer to becoming the next big Entrepreneur! *(Students that are already in 8th grade or entering 8th grade and students that are already in 12th grade or exiting 12th grade.)

02 Team Size Apply Individually or with a maximum of 5 team members.

03 Fee 20 USD per student.

Who can participate?

• Do you have an impactful business idea, that is profitable and at the same time has the potential to change the world?
• Are you a budding entrepreneur, who is looking to learn and grow your next revolutionary business idea?

Why Participate?

The perfect stepping-stone to turbocharge your Entrepreneurship journey -- by learning, developing, growing & sharing!

Develop key problem-solving and analytical skills, and gain the confidence to present to industry-leading executives

High-impact achievement for your CV/resume

YTBC is held purely online, and it’s easy to join!

Workshops and seminars will give you the skills required to win - no prior business knowledge required!

Compete and network with the highly-motivated and talented students from every country around the world!

Network with subject matter experts who can guide you with your business idea and become a growth mentor!

Connect with a global community of like-minded Entrepreneurs and learn & grow with them!

Learn from the best mentors, entrepreneurs, industry professionals.

YTBC X WADHWANI FOUNDATION

WADHWANI ACTIVATE is an entrepreneurship program that is especially crafted for high school students . This program comes with many exciting features including interactive sessions with entrepreneurs , master classes with experts, certificates & rewards for achievers , etc. Like all WF programs, this is also a free program.

YTBC Competition Partners

YTBC Competition Sponsors

YTBC Global Ambassadors

Philippines

South Korea

Learn with Leaders is revolutionizing learning and mentoring opportunities for high school students globally by connecting them with faculty and high-achieving students from the world’s leading universities. Learn with Leaders has successfully partnered with Harvard Graduate Women in Science & Engineering (HGWISE), Harvard Student Agencies (HSA), and faculty from top universities to bring exclusive research-oriented and skill-based learning opportunities for school students.

• How To Join
• Eligibility&Rules
• Challenge/Winner

2024 GYEC Winners

EMPOWERING YOUTH through school-based entrepreneurship programs that impact the direction of their lives through leadership, mentorship, friendship and business plan competitions.

Scroll through the list of our proud partners and sponsors.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Multiple Entrepreneurship Programs, After School Activities, and Clubs for Rising Middle through High School Students

Entrepreneurship program.

High School, Middle School, After- School and Entrepreneurship Clubs and Programs

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Business Coach and Mentorship Program

BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITON

High School Entrepreneurs’ Business Plan Competition

Launching Two New Programs!

Fall 2024: middle school c.e.o. winter 2025: innovate for inclusion.

Bring an activity-based entrepreneurship program into your classroom and engage your students

by having them work in teams to ideate and develop a start-up!

Entrepreneurship develops leaders through knowledge, responsibility, connection and academic achievement

Project ECHO supports teachers in their classrooms with:

Professional development, resources, and continuing support

A student-focused curriculum that culminates with a showcase event

On-line mentoring for student business teams provided by background-screened volunteers

Virtual events to include C-Suite Speakers Series and Entrepreneur Chats

Optional participation in the Business Plan Competition is worthy of college applications, and winning teams are awarded cash start-up funds (AKA scholarships!)

What Does Project ECHO Offer?

Project ECHO (Entrepreneurial Concepts Hands On!) collaborates directly with middle and high schools to offer project-based entrepreneurship programs that are innovative and equitable and allow teachers to meet their students where they are. Implement your vision for student success through project-based learning, and watch your students develop leadership skills through committed engagement. When it's their idea, they're accountable.

Participating teachers reported that their students developed their cognitive abilities, and demonstrated an increase in self-confidence, motivation, and drive to complete their projects. 

Through robust entrepreneurship programs, Project ECHO offers:

student-focused curriculums

professional development for educators

university-hosted events

mentorship, support and guest speakers

assistance to schools to build community collaborations

and features the High School Entrepreneurs’ Business Plan Competition

Students complete Project ECHO’s entrepreneurship programs empowered by their accomplishments, with many juniors and seniors reporting college majors and careers are now in focus!

Standing out in the Competitive College Landscape

Students are awarded a Certificate of Accomplishment at the conclusion of the competition, building their college portfolios and helping them stand out from their peers as they prepare to apply for college.   

Innovate + Participate + Succeed

More than 97% of teen participants indicated that Project ECHO's Business Plan Competition was their most memorable high school experience. 

Of high school students indicated that they will refer to Project ECHO on their college applications and future employment applications.

Of participants could now lead a team. This is how we change the future and develop the next generation of leaders. 

90% of participants had an increased interest in business. This is important as teens start to plan for their careers and understanding what goes into running a successful business is value-added.

Showed increased skills in finance, leadership, communication, self-confidence, teamwork and enthusiasm for school. It also helped them to decide a college major and make new friends.

70+% identified their academic strengths, were influenced on their decision to go to college and had an increased confidence level to graduate from high school.

Programmatic Highlights

Project ECHO is designed to unleash the potential of all young people. We teach participants to draw both from their own strengths as well as to build upon the capabilities of others. Developing a new business idea from the ground up not only re-engages students in their academic journey, but it builds a more assured future for their next step into college and/or career.

RAY CHOU DIRECTOR BREAKTHROUGH TRAINING CENTER 

I would encourage schools considering Project ECHO to sign up immediately! Project ECHO is among the most caring organizations out there. Year in and year out, it provides loads of infrastructure for both students and schools looking to learn and teach entrepreneurship. The programs are always improving, and the leadership is top notch.

DR. SABA ARAYA PRINCIPAL CITY HONORS INTERNATIONAL PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL 

Some of the life skills that we have seen manifest in our students who participate in Project ECHO are confidence in public speaking, feeling successful in collaborating and working with a team, learning how to collect and analyze data, using social media for business, and using creativity to find innovative solutions to difficult problems. These life skills build a student’s career pathway toolkit needed for success in the future.

JAYANTHI RAJA PROJECT ECHO PARENT

"The most important things my son learned from participating in Project ECHO were creating a business plan and developing the self-confidence to learn to pitch a business. My son was learning things in high school that I learned in my MBA program".

+1 (603) 932 7897

[email protected].

8 Business Competitions for High School Students 

• Last modified 2024-06-13
• Published on 2024-06-11

1. Diamond Challenge

The Diamond Challenge is a year-long entrepreneurship competition for high school students to pitch their unique, innovative business ideas. Hosted by the University of Delaware Horn Entrepreneurship Center since 2012, the Diamond Challenge has over 16,000 alumni from 111 countries.

Participants choose from two tracks for their entrepreneurial idea: business innovation concept or social innovation concept. The business innovation concept is an idea that solves a customer problem; the main goal of the student’s business idea would be to generate revenue and profit. The social innovation concept is an idea that solves a societal or environmental problem; with this idea, the student’s business’s main goal is to make a positive impact on the world (so the business idea could be a non-profit).

There are three rounds, see below: 

• Round 1: Submission Round
• Round 2: Pitch Round
• Round 3: Diamond Challenge Summit (by invite only)

Diamond Challenge Prizes

Compared with other business competitions for high school students, the Diamond Challenge has some of the most impressive, large cash prizes. Each year, students compete for a prize pool of $100,000. Each of the two tracks (business and social) will have their own winners for each of the below prizes.

• First place: $12,000
• Second place: $8,000
• Third place: $4,500

Delaware Solid Waste Authority Waste & Recycling Innovation Prize is awarded to the teams that develop an advancement in the waste or recycling industry that fosters sustainability within both the community and the environment.

Gore Innovation Excellence Prize is awarded to the teams who best represent the application of technology to improving lives.

Horn Equity Thru Entrepreneurship Prize is awarded to the team with the greatest potential to advance social justice and equality of opportunity.

Horn Entrepreneurship Global Prize is awarded to the top global teams that demonstrate extraordinary entrepreneurship excellence and embody the true spirit of the Diamond Challenge.

Cost : Free to enter

Diamond Challenge Important Dates and Deadlines

The submission portal opens in September every year. The Diamond Challenge offers many pre-submission support events to help students prepare their projects. See below for contest dates from the latest Diamond Challenge season:

• Round 1: Submission Round due January 16, 2024
• Round 2: Pitch Round due February 16, 2024
• Round 3: Diamond Challenge Summit April 25, 2024 to April 27, 2024

Eligibility and Rules

To participate, students form teams of 2-4 students with 1 adult advisor. Feel free to team up with students from different schools! Participants must be 14-18 years old and enrolled in high school (or officially homeschooled). The Diamond Challenge is worldwide competition, so students from all over the world are welcome to submit their innovations. Business ideas can be new or already launched and earn money, but innovations must not have already generated more than $100,000 in revenue. If you submitted an idea for a previous season of the Diamond Challenge, you can resubmit your idea to the next season if you’ve made significant improvements.

Learn more about the Diamond Challenge .

2. Modeling the Future Challenge

What is the Modeling the Future Challenge?

The Modeling the Future Challenge is an actuarial science high school competition focusing on math-modeling, data analysis, risk management. Actuarial science is the study of assessing financial risks in the insurance and finance fields using mathematical and statistical methods. Hosted by The Actuarial Foundation, Modeling the Future Challenge saw over 1,000 student participants and 114 teams last year.

How does this competition work?

Students analyze risks and provide recommendations to companies, industry groups, governments, or organizations. In the preliminary round, students are asked to solve a given problem. From this round, semifinalists are selected to conduct their own research projects with real-world data. Ultimately, finalists are selected to present their projects. See below for a breakdown of the three phases of Modeling the Future Challenge:

• Phase 1: Scenario Phase
• Phase 2: Project Phase (only selected Semifinalists participate)
• Phase 3: Presentation Phase (only selected Finalists participate)

Modeling the Future Challenge Prizes

Finalists for Modeling the Future Challenge may win college scholarships paid directly to the U.S. college/university of their choice. These are not cash prizes; the scholarship money will go directly to the institution. Semifinalists receive digital recognition certificates, while Finalists receive printed recognition certificates. First and second place winners will be submitted to the Actuarial Research Clearing House (ARCH) for online publication.

• First place: $25,000
• Second place: $15,000
• Third place: $10,000
• Fourth place: $5,000

Location: Modeling the Future Challenge has a new host city every year. Expect to travel if you’re a selected Finalist.

Modeling the Future Challenge Important Dates and Deadlines

Registration Opens & Launch Webinar: August 28, 2023

Scenario Phase Workshop: September 14, 2023

Registration Closes: November 19, 2023

Scenario Phase Submissions Due: December 3, 2023

Semifinalist Announcement: December 14, 2023

Project Phase Workshop: December 18, 2023

Project Intro Videos Due: January 31, 2024

Project Visual Highlight Due: February 29, 2024

Project Reports Due: March 3, 2024

Finalist Announcement: March 20, 2024

Final Videos & Papers Due: April 7, 2023

National Symposium: April 29 – May 3, 2024

Students can make individual projects or form a team of up to 5 students. All participants must be within the ages of 13 to 19 by August 1st on the year of registration (so, if registration opens late August 2024, then all participants must be 13-19 years old by August 1, 2024). Students must be juniors or seniors in high school and located within the U.S. Sophomores are accepted by petition only. All participants must be currently taking or have already taken high-level math classes such as statistics, probability, pre-calculus, or calculus.

Learn more about the Modeling the Future Challenge .

3. Conrad Innovation Challenge

What is the Conrad Innovation Challenge?

Previously known as the Conrad Spirit of Innovation, the Conrad Innovation Challenge is an entrepreneurship competition where high school students create year-long projects to design a solution to an important global issue. Hosted by The Conrad Foundation and Space Center Houston, the 2023-2024 season saw over 4,000 participants from 50+ countries.

How does the competition work?

The Conrad Innovation Challenge has four stages:

• Stage 1: Activation Stage
• Stage 2: Lean Canvas Stage
• Stage 3: Innovation Stage
• Stage 4: Power Pitch Stage (Conrad Challenge Innovation Summit)

Conrad Innovation Challenge Prizes

Conrad Innovation Challenge doesn’t offer cash prizes, and scholarship awards are only for a specific list of colleges.

Highest prize: Pete Conrad Scholar

Winners receive medallion, certificate, Dell Latitude Laptop, patent lawyer services valued at $20,000 to patent the idea, a New Product Market Feasibility Study valued at $1,500, exclusive connections to grant funding sources, $2,500 to attend summer entrepreneurship program Leangap, as well as access to other state of the art entrepreneurship programs such as The Western Union Foundation Fellowship and TKS.

Second highest prize: Finalist

$25,000 per year to Menlo College

$22,000 per year to Lewis & Clark College

$15,000 per year to Clarkson University

$10,000 per year to College of Charleston

$2,500 per year to Florida Institute of Technology

$1,000 to attend summer entrepreneurship program Leangap

Third highest prize: Conrad Innovator

$20,000 per year to Menlo College

$15,000 per year to Lewis & Clark College

$12,000 per year to Clarkson University

Location : The first three stages are preformed virtually, and the fourth and final stage including the Conrad Innovation Challenge Summit is held in Houston, Texas at the Space Center Houston and NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Cost : For stages 1 and 2, there is no entry fee. Starting at stage 3, Innovation Stage, entry fee is $499.

Conrad Innovation Challenge Important Dates and Deadlines

• Stage 1 Activation Stage due: November 3, 2023
• Stage 2 Lean Canvas Stage due: November 3, 2023
• Stage 3 Innovation Stage due: January 12, 2024
• Stage 4 Power Pitch Stage (Summit) due: April 23, 2024 to April 26, 2024

Students compete in teams of 2 to 5 participants with a coach over the age of 18. This competition is open to students worldwide, and the challenge encourages participants to team up with students from other schools and even other countries. All participants must be 13-18 years old and in high school (or officially homeschooled). Students can repeatedly join in different years and resubmit ideas if they’ve made significant improvement.

Learn more about the Conrad Innovation Challenge.

4. GENIUS Olympiad

The GENIUS Olympiad is a global high school competition of innovative projects that focus on solving environmental issues. GENIUS stands for Global Environmental Issues and Us. Initiated in 2011 and currently hosted by the Rochester Institute of Technology, the GENIUS Olympiad aims to produce future scientists, artists, writers, engineers, and policymakers who will lead their communities to greater environmental sustainability. For the 2024 season, the GENIUS Olympiad received 2452 projects. With an acceptance rate under 30%, GENIUS Olympiad will be presenting 727 projects from around 1,000 students from 65 countries.

Students choose an environmental issue they’re passionate about and present a project combating it and providing a solution to call for change. Student projects fall under five general disciplines: science, creative writing, business, robotics and coding, and art (including music and short film). Finalists will be selected to attend Rochester Institute of Technology and present their projects at GENIUS Finals.

GENIUS Olympiad Prizes

GENIUS Olympiad prizes consist of medals and scholarships to the Rochester Institute of Technology.

The winning project will receive the Top Grand Gold Award, which includes all the merits of the Gold Award and an exclusive Grand Certificate and additional surprise award.

Gold Medal will be awarded to top 10% of projects.

Silver Medal awarded to top 30% of projects.

Bronze Medal awarded to top 50% of projects.

Honorable Mention awarded to top 80% of projects.

GENIUS Finals attendees will receive conditional acceptance letters to RIT.

RIT will also be offering renewable scholarships:

Gold Medalists: $20,000

Silver Medalists: $18,000

Bronze Medalists: $15,000

Honorable Mentions: $14,000

GENIUS Finals Participants: $12,000

Finalists (who didn’t attend GENIUS Finals): $10,000

All GENIUS Finals events will be held on-campus at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, New York, USA. There is a trip to Niagara Falls included in the GENIUS Finals participation fee.

Online projects are not accepted. Finalists must present their projects in-person in Houston for GENIUS Finals.

All participants will pay a $50 application fee per project. If your project is accepted, you become a Finalist and will be invited to pitch your project idea at the GENIUS Finals. The participation to attend GENIUS Finals is $425 per participant. This includes a trip to Niagara Falls at no additional cost.

There are optional trips to Washington D.C., New York City, Boston, and/or Six Flags where students can socialize with other qualifying Finalists. The fees for these optional trips range from $695 to $1150.

GENIUS Olympiad Important Dates and Deadlines

Applications Opened: December 1, 2023

5. Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition

What is the Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition?

The Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition is the biggest virtual pitch competition for high schoolers worldwide. In 2024, the competition saw 9,800 participants from over 4,800 schools in 161 countries.

The Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition aims to introduce students to world-renowned business strategy, Blue Ocean Strategy. All participants must complete the online Blue Ocean Mini-course. Blue Ocean Strategy focuses on creating innovative niches in the existing market space. Over 2,800 colleges and universities teach Blue Ocean Strategy in business courses. Read some examples of current businesses that use the Blue Ocean Strategy.

Students make a 5-minute video presenting a pitch deck for their business idea and post their video on YouTube. One of the awards depends on how many likes the student’s video receives on YouTube.

In the Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition, participants must thoroughly complete their market research and develop a deep insight into consumer trends to create a novel business idea that makes a business unlike anything out there. While the name may be misleading, this competition/strategy is not about innovative ideas to combat climate change.

Student projects are judged based on value innovation, market potential, commercial viability & scalability, technical feasibility, and quality of presentation & use of Blue Ocean tools.

What makes Blue Ocean different from other entrepreneurship competitions?

Students learn and focus on using Blue Ocean Strategy and other business tools like Eliminate-Reduce-Raise-Create Grid, Three Tiers of Noncustomers Framework, Buyer Utility Map, profitability model, go-to-market plan, end-user feedback, Strategy Canvas, and more!

Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition Prizes

First place: $1000

Second place: $750

Third place: $500

People’s choice: $750 (top pitch with the most likes on YouTube)

Six Regional Winners: $500 each

Regions categorized as North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania, Latin America, and Middle East.

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free to enter

Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition Important Dates and Deadlines

2025 Registration is already open!

Submission Deadline: February 16, 2025

Top 100 Announcement: March 30, 2025

Top 30 Announcement: April 16, 2025

Top 10 Announcement: May 8, 2025

Students can compete individually or form a team of up to 5. Students can team up with students from different schools. All participants must be 14-18 years old, and in high school or homeschool equivalent. Applications are accepted from students worldwide. Pitches must be in English.

Learn more about the Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition .

6. Wharton Global High School Investment Competition

What is the Wharton Global High School Investment Competition?

The Wharton Global High School Investment Competition is a free experiential trading simulation challenge. Students learn about strategy-building, teamwork, communication, risk, diversification, company and industry analysis, and many other aspects of investing. In the 2023-2024 season, Wharton Global High School Investment Competition had 9,010 students in 1,655 teams from 62 countries.

The Wharton Investment Competition is a 10-week program. Students complete their trading simulations in the fall semester and results and (semi)finals are released and held throughout the winter/spring. Student teams examine a case study of a Wharton graduate’s business (the client) and work to help this client meet their investment goals with their business. Students have access to online stock market simulator, allowing them to gain real-life experience in the trading business.

Top 50 teams are promoted to a virtual Semifinals where teams present their investment strategy to an esteemed judge panel from the Wharton community. The top 10 teams will be selected to go to the in-person Global Finale at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Wharton Investment Competition Prizes

Wharton does not offer cash prizes or scholarships, but it offers something equally as valuable. Winners gain impressive recognition from the famous, prestigious, arguably most respectable business school in the world: The Wharton School. This will look incredible on your college applications.

Competition awards include certificates and free admission to Wharton online summer programs and classes.

Location: Students will work on their investment simulations from their own homes/schools. Semifinals will be held virtually, and the Global Finale will be held in-person at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, USA.

Wharton Investment Competition Important Dates and Deadlines

Registration opens: June 17, 2024

Registration closes: September 13, 2024

First day of trading simulation: September 30, 2024

Last day of trading simulation: December 13, 2024

Semifinalists (Top 50 teams) Announcement: January 2025

Virtual Semifinals: March 2025

Finalists (Top 10 teams) attend Global Finale: April 2025

Students form teams of 4-7 students, and all team members must be from the same high school (homeschool students must apply for special exemption). Each team must have an advisor who is a current teacher at the team’s high school. Each participant can only be on one team.

All participants must be 14-18 years old and a current high school student.

Learn more about the Wharton Global High School Investment Competition.

7. Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

What is the Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge?

The Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (GYEC) is an online 12-hour business idea competition for high school students worldwide. The competition’s goal is to promote an entrepreneurial spirit in high school students and teach students about the business world. GYEC is hosted by the Center for Entrepreneurship Development and the Center for Innovative Learning. In 2023, 600+ students in 83 teams participated.

The challenge prompt is given on the day of the competition. Prompts are about significant global problems that we all share as global citizens. Examples include poverty, hunger, education, energy, and climate change. Within 12 hours, students must innovate a business idea to address these global social issues sustainably using science and technology. Students must create and submit a 2-page business plan and a 3-minute video pitching their business idea.

Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Prizes

The prizes for GYEC are not impressive, but the challenge is unique compared to all other business competitions because of the tight time limit. Excelling in such a short time frame arguably proves more skill and excellency than longer term projects.

The winner and runner-up receive trophies and certificates.

Location : Virtual

Cost : 10,000 Japanese Yen (approximately $64)

Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Important Dates and Deadlines

There’s a Preliminary Round and a Final Round.

Applications opened: February 1, 2024

Applications closed: March 21, 2024

Preliminary Round: April 13, 2024

Preliminary Round Results Announced: April 25, 2024

Final Round: May 25, 2024

Final Round Winner and Runner Up Announced: June 12, 2024

Each team can have up to 8 students. All participants must be of high school age, 14-19 years old. GYEC accepts students from around the world, but after the preliminary round only up to 3 teams per country can enter. The preliminary round is to narrow down the teams to 3 per country.

Learn more about the Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge.

8. Pirates Pitch Competition for High School Students

What is the Pirates Pitch Competition?

Pirates Pitch Competition is a business idea competition with live pitch presentation event for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The event is hosted by Seton Hall University, where the final pitch presentation will be held and scholarships are awarded as competition prizes.

Students submit an original business idea for an innovative service or product (or a business you’ve already started). This is a written business description of a maximum of 350 words. Answer the following questions in your business description: What problem does your product or service solve? How do you propose making money? Who are your customers, and why will they buy your product or service? Who is your competition, and how are you going to be better than the competition?

10 Finalists will be invited to pitch their business live at Seton Hall University in November. Finalists will be judged by a panel of successful alumni entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and business faculty.

Pirates Pitch Competition Prizes

First place: $2,500 in cash and $10,000 scholarship to Seton Hall University

Second place: $1,000 in cash and $6,000 scholarship to Seton Hall University

Audience Choice Award: $300 in cash

All Ten Finalists: $4,000 scholarship to Seton Hall University

Location : Finalists will present their business pitches live at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, USA.

Pirates Pitch Competition Important Dates and Deadlines

Applications open August 26, 2024.

Finalists announced and Finals Pitch: November 2024

Participants must compete individually and be high school students grades 10-12 with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Learn more about the Pirates Pitch Competition .

Interested in these business competitions for high school students? Read more about entrepreneurship competitions.

Interested in these business competitions for high school students? Read more about entrepreneurship competitions .

Aralia Business Classes

Aralia Education specializes in offering comprehensive business classes and competition preparation for students, including prestigious events like the Diamond Challenge. Our courses are meticulously designed to prepare young entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in competitive environments. We pride ourselves on our experienced instructors, who bring a wealth of expertise from top-tier educational backgrounds and real-world business experience. At Aralia, we prioritize both academic excellence and personal growth, ensuring each student receives the tailored support they need to thrive. 

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10 Entrepreneurship Competitions for High School Students in 2023

Entrepreneurship is the buzzword of the decade. As a high school student, participating in entrepreneurship competitions that attract talent from all over the world is great exposure, and winning these competitions can give you a serious edge in your college applications .

In this blog, we'll be covering 10 of the most prestigious entrepreneurship competitions you can make the most of as a high school student. Adding your achievements in this field, combined with a rigorous academic profile and passion projects , can be an important step towards your dream school.

1. Wharton Global High School Investment Competition

The Wharton School of Business at UPenn is considered one of the most prestigious business schools in the world . Participating in the annual Wharton Global High School Investment Competition can expose you to teams from across the world, help cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset from an early age, and hone your finance skills. Registration is free of cost, the competition involves a 10-week crash course on investing, business analysis, pitch creation, and portfolio building.

You participate in a team of 4-7 students from your school and send in 2 deliverables that will be shortlisted for a semifinal round. At the Global Finale, the top 10 teams pitch their ideas for funding at Wharton.

Check out the free learning resources and case studies from previous years.

Location: Virtual pitching rounds with a final presentation at the UPenn

Eligibility: Domestic and International high school students

Prize: Certificates, a complimentary spot in the Wharton Online Summer Program for winning teams

Registration: Open from 1st June through 16th September 2023 (based on last year's timetable)

Competition dates: 26th September to 22nd April 2023

2. The Blue Ocean Competition

This is one of the biggest virtual pitch competitions for any high school student looking for cutting-edge exposure to the world of entrepreneurship, the Blue Ocean Competition has invited over 2293 participants from over 135 countries. Once you register, you are introduced to mentors and fellow students from all across the globe, with whom you can interact and receive feedback, mentorship, and support through Q&A sessions, brainstorming sessions, and more.

All participants are provided with a starter pack of business plan templates, guides to setting up a perfect pitch, as well as resources that help you minimize risk and maximize opportunities. Participants are required to present a 5-minute pitch individually or as a team at the end of the challenge.

Here are a few resources you should take a look at before participating!

Location: Virtual

Eligibility: High school students (including international students)

Prize: Certificates, cash prizes from $500-$1000, including a sponsored internship for first place

Registration: The application can be filled out any time before submission of the final pitch

Competition dates: 18th February 2023

3. Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

A competition aimed at building entrepreneurial aptitude, skillset, and exposure to enterprise, the GYEC is an annual 12-hour startup competition open to all students aged 14-19. The competition is virtual, and all participants are presented with a global problem that requires actionable and well-thought-out solutions. At the end of the 12-hour competition period, you submit your final pitches along with your team (preferably up to 8 students). You are required to hold basic knowledge in relevant areas such as science, tech, marketing, and business communication.

Take a look at the winners of the 2022 Challenge here !

Eligibility: Students aged 14-19. If you reside in Japan , Indonesia , Malaysia , Mongolia , or Turkey , you will need to contact GYEC's partner organization(s) to submit your application.

Prize: Certificates, trophies, and awards

Registration: Applications open between 1st February and 31st March 2023. Selected participants are informed on 22nd April 2023.

Competition dates: 27th May 2023

4. GENIUS Olympiad

This renowned Olympiad has a business vertical. The overarching aim of Genius is to invite solutions to solve environmental issues. You can choose to participate in one of the two categories of the competition - social responsibility and entrepreneurship.

You will work on a new product or technology to decrease human impact on the environment. You can also offer improvements to existing products or technologies to make them greener or more sustainable. This involves a combination of science, engineering, and business sense. The product/solution should also be accompanied by a business plan and a go-to-market plan.

Eligibility: Open to all US and international students from grades 9-12

Prize: Certificates, renewable scholarships of up to $20,000

Registration: Applications are open from November 10 - March 1

Competition dates: Finals are held between 12th to 16th June 2023

Application Fee: $50 per project

5. Diamond Challenge

The Diamond Challenge, hosted by the University of Delaware, allows students to learn, lead, and pitch their startup ideas. You can choose to pitch an idea for either business or social innovation , and the competition involves a total of 5 rounds. This includes a submission round, a pitch round, 2 semi-finals, and a final round. Here is an idea of the business ideas that made it to the semifinals in 2022.

Location: Virtual pitching rounds with a final presentation at the University of Delaware

Eligibility: Students between the ages of 14-18 can participate in teams of 2-4 people

Prize: Certificates, cash prizes of up to $100,000

Registration: The submission round closes on 8th January 2023 (based on last year's timetable)

Competition dates: The final summit takes place between the 23rd -25th of April 2023 (based on last year's timetable)

6. SAGE GLOBAL

SAGE hosts an annual challenge that guides students through solving global issues with the help of entrepreneurial thinking and innovation . You can participate in this competition if you're in high school or an undergraduate student at college. You along with your team must identify a global need and create a social enterprise that solves this need. If shortlisted internationally, your team presents your final pitch to a panel of imminent judges.

Eligibility: All students between 13-19 years of age

Prize: Certificates and cash prizes

Registration: Submissions are accepted from 1st to 15th August (tentative)

Competition dates: 1st to 15th August (tentative)

7. CONRAD Spirit of Innovation

The CONRAD Spirit of Innovation Challenge invites students from across the globe to look for complex global issues and solve them using innovative, holistic solutions . You can choose to work in any of the following spheres for 3 competition rounds - Aerospace & Aviation, Cyber-Technology & Security, Energy & Environment, the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, Health & Nutrition, and Oceans: The Plastic Problem.

You are exposed to a community of thousands of budding entrepreneurs from across the globe and are provided with the opportunity to hone your business analysis, presentation, design thinking, and ideating skills. The competition has seen some of the most innovative solutions to issues like CyberTech, aerospace, and energy and environment, all from students such as yourself!

Eligibility: Students aged 13-18, in teams of 2-5 students

Prize: Certificates, the "Pete Conrad Scholar" award, scholarships to universities, as well as discounted access to professional services for the winning team

Registration: Applications are open from 20th August to 5th November 2022 (based on last year's calendar)

Competition dates: January to April 2023 (based on last year's calendar)

Application Fee: $499, waiver available

8. Cooper Hewitt Design Competition

This competition focuses on leveraging design thinking to solve real-world problems. Think of it as a research-based entrepreneurial solution. O nce you register, you will be guided on using data visualization as an effective method to communicate and solve real-world challenges. You can use both secondary and primary data for your submission, which will be screened in two stages. All finalists are mentored by some of the biggest names in data design, and virtually present their projects at the Virtual Judging Weekend at Cooper Hewitt. For this challenge, your entry will be judged on the basis of the following criteria - innovation, impact, relevance, and communication. If a career in data design, data analysis, or data science excites you, participating in this competition will add volumes to your experience - all highly beneficial for a stellar college application!

Eligibility: Students aged 13-19 can register individually or in teams of up to 3 students

Prize: Certificates, a gift package worth $500 from SHOP Cooper Hewitt, and a Family membership to Cooper Hewitt.

Registration: Applications close on 13th February 2023

Competition dates: April to 11th June 2023

9. DECA Events

DECA, formerly known as Distributive Education Clubs of America, has been hosting annual business plan and investment competitions for a decade now, spanning across various niches and sub-niches, a few examples being

Restaurant and Food Service Management Series

Business Solutions Project

Franchise Business Plan

Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series

If there’s a particular niche you wish to ideate upon, you can look up DECA’s official website for more details on relevant competitions. DECA’s events contribute to career readiness, research readiness, and a sharp entrepreneurial mindset in its participants.

Eligibility: Open to all high-school students

Prize: Certificates, awards, and cash prizes of up to $500

Registration: Applications close on13th February 2023

Competition dates: You can find the DECA Calendar of Events here

10. FCCLA Virtual Business Challenge

A prestigious competition aimed at measuring participants’ fashion and finance management skills, the FCCLA Virtual Business Challenge lets participants understand and control aspects of the stimulation (as found in the Virtual Business classroom software). The challenge requires you to utilize your personal finance and fashion management skills! Once registered, you can check your team’s real-time score on FCCLA’s website alongside your participation and manipulation of the stimulation as seen on the classroom software.

Eligibility: Open to all high school students in the USA

Prize: Certificates. Website recognition and cash prizes of up to $1000

Registration: Applications open on 4th October 2023

Competition dates: Round 1 - 18th October to 11th November 2023; Round 2 - 21st January to 24th February 2024 (based on last year’s dates)

If you’re looking to make the world a better place, here are a few themed innovation challenges that you can participate in - The Green Business Idea Competition and the Technovation for Girls Challenge.

Additionally, you could also check out the Junior Achievement National Student Leadership Summit , The Paradigm Challenge , and the World Series of Innovation !

If you're looking for a real-world internship that can help boost your resume while applying to college, we recommend Ladder Internships!

Ladder Internships  is a selective program equipping students with virtual internship experiences at startups and nonprofits around the world!  

The startups range across a variety of industries, and each student can select which field they would most love to deep dive into. This is also a great opportunity for students to explore areas they think they might be interested in, and better understand professional career opportunities in those areas. The startups are based all across the world, with the majority being in the United States, Asia and then Europe and the UK. 

The fields include technology, machine learning and AI, finance, environmental science and sustainability, business and marketing, healthcare and medicine, media and journalism and more.

You can explore all the options here on their application form .

As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship - the Ladder Coach serves as a second mentor and a sounding board, guiding you through the internship and helping you navigate the startup environment. 

Cost : $1490 (Financial Aid Available)

Location:   Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.

Application deadline:  April 16 and May 14

Program dates:  8 weeks, June to August

Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates and gap year students!

If you’re looking for an incubator program that helps you establish a developed startup in high school, consider the Young Founders Lab! 

The Young Founder’s Lab   is a real-world start-up bootcamp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs.  In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem.   You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. 

You can access the application link here !

One other option – Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Participating in these innovation challenges is a great way to understand how to solve real-world challenges. Another way of doing this is to work on your own research project.

If you are looking to start your own research journey with 1-1 mentorship from a top PhD, check out the Lumiere Research Scholar Program , a selective online high school program for students that I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. You can find the  application form   here .

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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15 Entrepreneurship Competitions for High School Students

By Eric Eng

Entrepreneurship competitions offer high school students a unique platform to showcase their innovative ideas and business acumen. These contests provide more than just a chance to win prizes. They open doors to new opportunities and learning experiences.

Let’s discover the significance of these competitions, key information about them, and how they can pave the way for your success. Engaging in these contests can be a game-changer for aspiring young entrepreneurs, offering invaluable insights and networking opportunities.

1. Conrad Challenge

• Location: Space Center Houston
• Contest dates: April 23 to 26, 2024
• Registration deadline: November 3, 2023
• Eligibility: Students aged between 13 and 18 years old; must participate as a member of a team consisting of 2 to 5 students
• Prizes: Scholarships, entrepreneurial support, legal and consulting services, laptops

The Conrad Challenge is a notable annual competition that invites students aged 13-18 to solve real-world problems in areas such as Aerospace & Aviation and Health & Nutrition. It celebrates the legacy of NASA astronaut Charles “Pete” Conrad by encouraging innovative thinking and entrepreneurial skills among high school students.

Joining this contest means engaging in activities from brainstorming to presenting pitches, which sharpens your creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork abilities. As a key entrepreneurship competition for high school students, the Conrad Challenge offers mentorship, cash prizes, and recognition, setting you on a path to success in STEM and entrepreneurial fields.

2. Blue Ocean High School Entrepreneur Pitch Competition

• Location: Online
• Contest date: April 26, 2024
• Registration deadline: February 18, 2024
• Eligibility: High school students worldwide, individual or team
• Prizes: Cash prizes for students; cash and TV for top schools

The Blue Ocean High School Entrepreneur Pitch Competition opens a global stage for high school students to showcase innovative business ideas. This large virtual contest, run by the Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneurs Corp, draws young entrepreneurs from around the world, offering a unique opportunity to pitch their concepts, receive feedback, and compete for cash prizes.

When you enter this competition, you’re not just competing; you’re becoming part of a community that values entrepreneurship, creativity, and problem-solving. Winners walk away with prestigious awards like the Blue Ocean Award and the People’s Choice Award, along with recognition for schools contributing the most submissions, making it a significant step forward for aspiring entrepreneurs.

3. Youth Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition

• Contest dates: June 1 to August 31, 2024
• Registration deadline: Typically June 30
• Eligibility: Young innovators aged 15 to 35
• Prizes: Virtual badges and certificates

The Youth Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition offers a chance for young entrepreneurs to create projects that align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. It’s organized by notable entities like the Goi Peace Foundation, Stiftung Entrepreneurship (Berlin), and UNESCO, providing free training to help participants refine their ideas into effective business models or improve ongoing initiatives.

Open to individuals between 13–29 years old, with a special category for those above 30, the competition judges entries on criteria such as innovation, leadership , and social impact. Through a process of submission, online voting, and expert evaluation, winners receive certificates, potential financial rewards, and opportunities to join a global network of entrepreneurs, offering a significant platform for those aiming to impact their communities positively.

4. Wharton Global High School Investment Competition

• Location: Online; Global Finale at the Wharton campus in Philadelphia
• Contest dates: April 19 and 20, 2025
• Registration deadline: September 15, 2024
• Eligibility: Grades 9 through 12
• Prizes: Free Wharton online courses

The Wharton Global High School Investment Competition is a prestigious, online simulation that introduces high school students to the world of investments. Through this free competition, teams of four to seven students, guided by a teacher-advisor, use the StockTrak stock market simulator to explore investment strategies and financial principles.

By participating, you’ll delve into strategy-building, risk management, and company analysis, gaining skills crucial for future success. This competition, an entrepreneurship opportunity for high school students, culminates in a Global Finale at the Wharton School, offering certificates and potential scholarships to winners, thereby laying a foundation for both academic and professional growth.

5. Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (GYEC)

• Contest dates: April 13 (Preliminary Round) and May 25, 2024 (Final Round)
• Registration deadline: March 21, 2024
• Eligibility: High school students aged 14 to 19; teams should consist of up to 8 students
• Prizes: Trophies and certificates

GYEC is a dynamic 12-hour online competition for high school students aged 14 to 19, focusing on creating sustainable business ideas to tackle global challenges. Teams of up to eight students collaborate to devise solutions in areas such as poverty, hunger, and climate change, leveraging science and technology.

Joining this entrepreneurship competition for high school students offers you the chance to stretch your creativity, teamwork, and business understanding. Beyond trophies and certificates for winners, all participants gain valuable experience and skills in entrepreneurship, communication, and problem-solving, crucial for future success.

6. Wisconsin High School Business Model Competition

• Location: University of Wisconsin ( UW ) Oshkosh’s Alta Resources Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Contest dates: To be arranged
• Registration deadline: To be arranged
• Eligibility: Wisconsin high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; individual or in teams of up to three members
• Prizes: Scholarships to UW Oshkosh

The Wisconsin High School Business Model Competition, organized by the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, is a prestigious statewide event. It challenges high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to develop and present original business ideas. With a $15,000 prize pool, the competition aims to encourage entrepreneurship among Wisconsin’s youth by providing a platform to explore and pitch viable business plans.

Participating in this entrepreneurship competition offers the chance to win a portion of the prize money and gain valuable experience in business creation, presentation, and teamwork . It’s an excellent opportunity to enhance your entrepreneurial skills, connect with peers, and potentially receive significant financial support to kickstart your business journey.

7. Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!)

• Location: Various locations
• Contest dates: Vary by location
• Registration deadline: Vary by location
• Eligibility: Middle and high school students
• Prizes: Scholarships and funding for business ideas

YEA! is a distinctive 7-month program designed to empower middle and high school students. It guides them through creating and launching their own businesses or social movements. Supported by the Loudoun Chamber Foundation and the Loudoun Economic Development Authority, this program offers hands-on experience in developing business ideas, writing plans, and pitching to investors.

Participating in this entrepreneurship program provides valuable skills in business development, market research, and public speaking, mentored by local professionals. It’s an opportunity to turn innovative ideas into reality, potentially earn college scholarships, and join a network of young entrepreneurs equipped with confidence and leadership skills for success in the business world.

8. VentureLab’s Youth Startup Expo

• Location: Austin, Texas
• Contest date: April 6, 2024
• Registration deadline: Not specified
• Eligibility: Youth aged 8-18
• Prizes: Up to $500 in materials to support their business; mentorship sessions

VentureLab’s Youth Startup Expo is an annual event designed to spotlight the entrepreneurial talents of high school students, offering them a stage to showcase their innovative startup ideas. It plays a crucial role in promoting youth entrepreneurship, aiming to enhance participants’ entrepreneurial skills and creativity through pitching opportunities and the chance to receive valuable feedback.

By participating in this entrepreneurship competition for high school students, you’ll have the unique chance to present your business concepts to a wider audience, gain insights from experts, and compete for prizes. This experience not only bolsters your entrepreneurial spirit but also equips you with the skills to innovate and create ventures that can make a significant impact.

9. Diamond Challenge

• Location: University of Delaware
• Contest dates: April 25 to 27, 2024
• Registration deadline: January 16, 2024
• Eligibility : Teams of 2-4 high school students between 14-18
• Prizes: Cash prizes and special awards

Initiated by the University of Delaware Horn Entrepreneurship center in 2012, the Diamond Challenge is a leading entrepreneurship competition for high school students, engaging over 10,000 teens from more than 70 countries and 40 U.S. states. This contest not only fosters innovation through its Business and Social Innovation tracks but also aims to educate and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.

By participating, you dive into a world of entrepreneurship, where you can present your ideas, receive feedback, and compete for up to $100,000 in prizes. More than just prize money, the Diamond Challenge offers mentorship and networking opportunities that equip you with lifelong skills and connections, making it a valuable experience for any aspiring entrepreneur.

10. Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)’s World Series of Innovation (WSI)

• Contest date: April 15, 2024
• Registration deadline: February 24, 2024
• Eligibility: Young people aged 11-24
• Prizes: Cash prizes

NFTE’s WSI stands out as an annual global competition that challenges young innovators, aged 13-24, to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through creative solutions. With a history of engaging nearly 40,000 participants in solving pressing global issues, the competition supports 8-10 diverse challenges each year, offering cash prizes to top ideas.

Entering the WSI means you’re not just competing for up to $1,500 in cash prizes; you’re also taking a significant step towards making a real-world impact. This platform not only encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation but also provides critical support to students from low-income backgrounds, making it an enriching opportunity for young entrepreneurs committed to change.

11. Junior Achievement National Student Leadership Summit (NSLS)

• Location: Washington, D.C.
• Contest dates: June 9 to 13, 2024
• Registration deadline: May 3, 2023
• Eligibility: Students aged 15-18 who have participated in the JA Company Program during the 2023-2024 school year

The NSLS is a top-tier event where high school students from across the United States come together to celebrate their entrepreneurial accomplishments through the JA Company Program. This annual summit showcases the business skills, creativity, and innovation of young entrepreneurs, featuring over 500 start-up ventures that demonstrate real-world application of business concepts.

Participating in the NSLS offers a chance to impress business leaders, receive valuable feedback, and earn recognition. You’ll be judged on financial performance, product innovation, and effective communication and collaboration, with awards recognizing achievements in areas like social impact, global connectivity, and financial excellence.

12. BETA Camp

• Contest dates: June 17 to July 16, July 8 to August 2, and July 22 to August 16, 2024
• Registration deadline: June 1, 2024
• Eligibility: High school students aged 13-18 from the US, Canada, or the UK, including gap year students
• Prizes: Skill development and networking opportunities

BETA Camp is a virtual entrepreneurship program made for high school students aged 13-18. It’s a four-week journey where you’ll learn how to create startups. You’ll work on real problems with guidance from professionals at top companies like Google and Apple.

Throughout the program, you’ll dive into every step of starting a business, from coming up with ideas to making them real and pitching them to investors on Demo Day. Besides learning entrepreneurship basics, you’ll develop leadership skills and gain practical business experience to help you stand out in your future academic and career paths.

13. National Personal Finance Challenge (NPFC)

• Location: Cleveland, Ohio
• Contest dates: May 19 to 20, 2024
• Registration deadline: Varies by state
• Eligibility: High school students participating in the state competitions and advancing to the national level

NPFC is a nationwide contest for high school students focused on personal finance. It covers topics like savings, investing, managing credit, and handling risks. The competition includes an online test, state and national semi-finals, and a final presentation on financial planning for a hypothetical family scenario.

Taking part in NPFC helps you understand crucial personal finance concepts better and offers the chance to win cash prizes, up to $2,000 per student for the winning team. You’ll get hands-on experience with real financial situations and present your solutions to experts, sharpening your financial skills and preparing you for future financial independence.

14. TiE Young Entrepreneurs (TYE) Global Business Plan Competition

• Location: Singapore
• Contest dates: Varies by competition
• Registration deadline: Varies by competition
• Eligibility: High school students; must have at least one current student or recent alumni of less than 5 years from a university

The TYE Global Business Plan Competition is a vital part of a global initiative aimed at sparking entrepreneurial skills in high school students. It involves classroom sessions, team activities, and mentorship to teach entrepreneurship and business basics. Students create and compete with their business plans at local chapter finals.

Joining this competition means diving into an entrepreneurial environment with guidance from local entrepreneurs and professionals. From brainstorming to the global competition, where you can win up to $10,000, you’ll improve your business skills and build a network of peers and mentors for future entrepreneurial ventures.

15. Cooper Hewitt Design Competition

• Location: Online; finals at the MIT Norman B. Leventhal Center for Advanced Urbanism in Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Contest dates: Typically from January to April
• Registration deadline: Typically in February
• Eligibility: High school students aged 13-19
• Prizes: Gift packages, mentorship opportunities

The Cooper Hewitt Design Competition, organized by the Smithsonian Design Museum, invites high school students to tackle community challenges using design and data. This unique contest features a two-stage approach, where participants submit initial designs and finalists further refine their ideas under mentorship before presenting them to judges.

Joining this competition allows you to sharpen your design skills and benefit from expert guidance. Winners enjoy rewards like custom design packages and Cooper Hewitt memberships, making it an essential opportunity for students passionate about design and looking to make an impact.

What are the benefits of joining high school entrepreneurship competitions?

Participating in an entrepreneurship competition offers high school students unparalleled exposure to the business world. These competitions provide a practical platform to apply theoretical knowledge, fostering a deep understanding of what it takes to bring an idea to life.

Moreover, students gain invaluable feedback from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry professionals, which can significantly refine their business acumen and strategies. Competing also expands students’ networks, connecting them with peers, mentors, and potential investors interested in entrepreneurship for young innovators.

How do you prepare for high school entrepreneurship competitions?

Preparation for a high school entrepreneurship competition should start with thorough research on the competition’s theme and criteria. This foundational step ensures that students’ projects align with the judges’ expectations and the competition’s goals, enhancing their chances of success.

Additionally, assembling a diverse team that combines various skills and perspectives can be a game-changer. It enables students to tackle the competition’s challenges more effectively, leveraging each member’s strengths to build a compelling business proposal for the entrepreneurship contest targeting high school participants.

How can entrepreneurship competitions enhance your college applications?

Entrepreneurship competitions for high school students serve as a testament to a student’s initiative, creativity , and leadership abilities on college applications. These contests show admissions officers that applicants are willing to take risks, think critically, and solve real-world problems.

Furthermore, success in these competitions highlights a student’s ability to work effectively in teams, a skill highly valued in higher education and beyond. This experience not only sets applicants apart but also showcases their commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship, making their applications more compelling.

What are the latest trends in high school entrepreneurship competitions?

The latest trends in high school entrepreneurship competitions focus on sustainability and social impact, reflecting growing global concerns. Competitions are increasingly seeking ideas that offer sustainable solutions to societal issues, encouraging students to think about the long-term impact of their businesses.

Moreover, the integration of technology is becoming more prominent, with a significant emphasis on digital innovation and the use of emerging technologies to solve problems. This shift not only broadens the scope of projects but also equips students with the technological fluency required in the modern business world, setting a new standard for competitions in the entrepreneurial sphere for high schoolers.

How do judges evaluate projects in high school entrepreneurship competitions?

In entrepreneurship competitions for high school students, judges typically evaluate projects based on innovation, feasibility, and impact. They look for unique solutions that address real-world problems effectively, assessing whether the ideas presented could realistically be implemented and succeed in the market.

Additionally, the potential for positive social or environmental impact plays a significant role, with judges favoring projects that offer substantial benefits to society or the planet. This holistic evaluation approach ensures that winning projects are not only innovative and feasible but also meaningful.

Entrepreneurship competitions offer high school students a unique platform to showcase their innovative ideas, gain valuable skills, and make an impact. Through participation, students not only enhance their academic and career prospects but also contribute to solving some of today’s most pressing challenges.

Remember, it’s not just about winning. It’s about the learning and the chance to make a difference that leaves a lasting impression.

Want to assess your chances of admission? Take our FREE chances calculator today!

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HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE GUIDELINES

Develop ideas, build a team, write a business plan, pitch your idea for real money.

Register for BPC BPC Event Schedule BPC Resources

Congrats to the High School League Winners of the 2024 Business Plan Competition!

• Protein Palace, $5,000 Protein Palace is a fast casual restaurant specializing in high protein bowls and sandwiches.
• Eco Trail, $2,000 Eco Trail is an app that allows hikers to view a trail before they hike it.
• 7b Surf Co., $1,000 7b Surf Co. offers professional wake surfing lessons to individuals living and vacationing in Sandpoint, Idaho.
• Victoria Paints, $750 Victoria Paints offers affordable custom wall art.

For more information and a complete list of winners, visit:  WSU INSIDER

Eligibility

• The contest is open to all Washington State high school students. To enter the competition, a team must complete the online registration. Teams should include members possessing the essential background to enable the development of a serious business plan. Interdisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged. There is no limit on the number of members; however, small teams are recommended.
• Teams must have a school or community advisor.

Competition Rules

• Advancing teams must present in-person on the Pullman campus during the Final day of the competition. Only four members of the team will be allowed to present their idea before the judges during the Final Round of the competition.
• All teams that present during the Final Round must be present in person at the Trade Show before Awards Dinner.
• The same business idea will not be accepted at the competition more than twice. Repeat submissions after the second attempt will automatically be declined.
• All submissions to the Business Plan Competition must live up to the higher ideals of Washington State University. Your idea must be appropriate for a university-sponsored event. The Center for Entrepreneurial Studies reserves the right to disqualify any entry that in its judgment violates the letter or the spirit of the competition or exceeds the bounds of social convention.
• Prize money will be divided equally among all registered team members.

ROUNDS OF COMPETITION

Screening round.

The Screening Round is the first major hurdle you’ll face in the competition. Submit your 2-minute video online for scoring by our judges. Five presenting teams will be selected from this first round.

View Video Rubric

Presentation Round

After the Screening Round, you’ll receive an email naming the teams that will advance to the Presentation Round on the day of the Business Plan Competition. If your team is selected, you’ll need to submit your 1-page executive summary and pitch deck (10-15 slides) by the deadline in the BPC schedule.

View Presentation Rubric

Executive Summary Rubric

How the Presentation Round Works

Our High School League includes five teams. During the Presentation Round, each team delivers a presentation of its business plan to a panel of judges, following the schedule below:

• Set up: 10 minutes
• Presentation: 15 minutes
• Questions and feedback: 20 minutes

Presenting teams are evaluated both on their written plan and their presentations. Judging criteria include team presentation and style, the customer problem, solution, value proposition, competitive advantages, market, and sales strategy, management, and financial planning.

All participants including High School and Open League participants will present their business during a cocktail hour Trade Show in the Senior Ballroom before the Awards Ceremony and dinner. This is a great opportunity for teams to network with and meet judges from all of the leagues.

Competition Awards Dinner

If you competed in the Presentation Round, you and your teammates will dine with the judges—a priceless opportunity to build professional connections. Following dinner, competition organizers will announce the winning teams.

Important Dates

2-minute video: Friday, March 22 Initial review of all submissions: March 25-30 Announcement of top 5 teams: Monday, April 1 Team Information sessions scheduled individually. Final Five High School 1-page executive summary due April 12 Final High School Presentations in Pullman, Thursday, April 25 (travel funding available)

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Congratulations to all our 2023 Business Plan Competition Participants

We saw fierce competition this year and would like to congratulate all participants for all their hard work and dedication.

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We are delighted to announce the winning teams of the High School League competition:

High School League

• Mai Bowl – ($5,000)
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Top 20 Student Business-Plan Competitions

Say you have an awesome idea for a startup, something with real potential. There is, however, a pretty big problem: launching a business isn’t cheap, and as a student or recent graduate, it’s difficult to finance a business on your own. But, your idea is good. So what happens next? We’ve compiled a list of the top competitions aimed at current college undergraduates, graduate students, recent alumni, and high school students from all over the world to not only help you test your business model against what your peers are doing (and gain meaningful experience in the process), but also transform your idea into a reality.

1. High School Utah Entrepreneur Challenge

Hosted by the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah with sponsorship from Zions Bank, this competition is targeted at high schoolers with big ideas.

• What you need : A business idea that includes the following: a problem, a proposed solution, a targeted audience/customer and a prototype.
• Who can apply : Any Utah high-schooler aged 14-18. Teams are not required but can include up to 5 members.
• Where: This year’s events are expected to be virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• What you could win : Prizes vary in amount and type based on award received.
• 2020-21 Deadline : Apply by Feb. 17, 2021.
• Website : https://lassonde.utah.edu/hsuec/

2.  Blue Ocean High School Entrepreneurial Leaders

A global, virtual pitch competition for high school students aimed to provide feedback, advance ideas, and launch students’ futures.

• What you need : A 3-5 minute pitch for a big idea.
• Who can apply : Any student currently in high school.
• Where: This is a virtual event conducted through video submissions.
• What you could win : The grand prize winner receives $1,000, with other awards receiving up to $750. There are also opportunities for high schools to receive grant money, too.
• 2020-21 Deadline : Apply by Feb. 19, 2021.
• Website : https://blueoceancompetition.org/

3.  Get Seeded

Designed to help get ideas off the ground, this two-part milestone grant funding program seeks out students with measurable goals and helps fund the entrepreneurial process. This program is managed by the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah and sponsored by Chad and Kristen Anselmo and doxy.me.

• What you need : A startup with short-term measurable milestones (prototyping, marketing, etc.) that can be achieved within 30-90 days.
• Who can apply : Any college student in Utah.
• Where: The University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, though location is subject to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• What you could win : There are two grants opportunities: a microgrant of up to $500, and a Seed Grant for $501-1,500.
• 2020-21 Deadline : Regular grant intervals. See website for details.
• Website : https://lassonde.utah.edu/getseeded/

4. TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield

A competition for early-stage startups to receive equity-free prize money, as well as general investors and media attention.

• What you need : A mid-stage startup with clear ideas and product or service in the development stages.
• Who can apply : Anyone with a startup idea is invited to participate.
• Where: The first round of competition is regional, and is subject to change due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
• What you could win : Global competition winners receive $100,000 in prize money.
• 2020-21 Deadline : Application dates have not yet been updated, as they vary by region.
• Website : https://techcrunch.com/

 5.  Hatch Pitch

Hosted with SXSW in Austin, Texas, until 2016, this is a competition focused on startups with information technology angles.

• What you need : A company in which the founders retain some portion of ownership, as well as a product or service that launched sometime in the past 2 years (or within 6 months after the Hatch Pitch event.)
• Who can apply : Anyone who meets the above criteria. There is no specific age limit or education requirement.
• Where: Houston, Texas, though location is subject to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• What you could win : Winners can receive any amount of funding based on investors’ interest. All contestants receive active coaching and mentoring, as well as publicity for their concepts.
• 2020-21 Deadline : Applications are received on a rolling basis.
• Website : https://www.hatchpitch.com/apply-full-form

6. Rice University Business Plan Competition

A virtual three-day competition that accounts for pitches, feedback, and judge interaction, designed to give entrepreneurs real-world experience.

• What you need : A business in the seed, startup, or early growth stages
• Who can apply : Any full-time or part-time U.S. graduate students. Teams must have at least one graduate student and a faculty advisor, but only students can present.
• Where: Rice University in Houston, Texas.
• What you could win : The grand prize winner receives $125,000 in equity capital from a Houston investment group as well as $20,000 in cash and about $80,000 in services. This includes a year’s worth of office space.
• 2020-21 Deadline : Apply by Feb. 2, 2021, for the April 5-9, 2021 competition.
• Website : https://rbpc.rice.edu/

7. New Venture Championship, University of Oregon

This virtual competition attracts students who want to “create something extraordinary,” and can bridge the gap between a market need and a real solution.

• What you need : A business majorly owned by students that has a faculty advisor, looking for seed capital.
• Who can apply : Teams of 2-5 students who created, manage, and own their ventures and who are allocated at least 50% of the startup’s equity. At least one member of the team is required to be enrolled in a graduate program from any field.
• Where : Portland, Oregon.
• What you could win : Up to $50,000 in prize money is up for grabs. If you don’t make it to the top round, you can still compete in a lightning round for prize money during the finals.
• 2020-21 Deadline : Applications are due by Feb. 14, 2021, to compete in the qualifying round (Feb. 15 – March 20).
• Website : https://business.uoregon.edu/nvc/details

8. ClimateTech & Energy Prize @ MIT

A competition aimed at any student who wants to change the way we handle energy.

• What you need : A business focused on one of four categories: Generating Energy, Delivering Energy, Improving Energy Usage or Energy for Developing Economies.
• Who can apply : University teams from across the United States.
• Where : Cambridge, Massachusetts.
• What you could win : The top two teams in each category go on to compete for a $100,000 Grand Prize and other monetary prizes.
• 2020-21 Deadlines : Applications due on Feb. 5, 2021.
• Website : https://cep.mit.edu/intro

9. Baylor Business New Venture Competition

Hosted by Baylor University, this two-track competition is nationwide.

• What you need : A business in one of two competition tracks: Internet and Consumer Technology and Non-Internet and Consumer Technology Companies. Internet and Consumer Technology companies must aim to impact one of the following industries: Internet Services, Internet Security, Info Tech, Software Cloud, Mobile Tech, Mobile Apps, Mobile Commerce, Web/e-Commerce, Social Commerce, Social Networking, Social Media, Social Gaming, Video Gaming.
• Who can apply : Current students or recent alumni (within the last 15 months) in teams with 2-4 members.
• Where : Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
• What you could win: All prizes are in cash and range from a grand prize of $60,000 to $1,500 for second and third-round winners.
• 2021-2022 Deadlines : Dates have not yet been updated for the following year. The 2021 competition can be streamed from Mar. 25-27, 2021.
• Website : https://www.baylor.edu/business/newventurecompetition/

10. Innovation World Cup Series

This is a global competition split into categories where participants connect and compete in a convention setting.

• What you need : A business that is involved in the internet of things or wearable technology in the fields of Home, City, Lifestyle, Industrial, Transportation, Healthcare, and Retail.
• Who can apply : If you are 18 or older and in no way affiliated with Navispace, the host, you can apply.
• Where : Munich, Germany.
• What you could win: Prize pool of $500,000, with networking and exposure included
• 2020-21 Deadlines : Applications are open now, and due by Sept. 22, 2021.
• Website : https://www.innovationworldcup.com/13th-iot-wt-innovation-world-cup/

11.  Utah Entrepreneur Challenge

A business-model competition for all college students in Utah. This competition is hosted by the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah and sponsored by Zions Bank.

• What you need : A business model of any type.
• Who can apply : University students currently enrolled in Utah colleges.
• Where : The University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, though location is subject to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• What you could win : Grand prize is up to $40,000 in cash, with additional prizes, like Best Speed Pitch, ranging in dollar amounts
• 2020-21 Deadlines : Applications close on Feb. 8, 2021.
• Website : http://lassonde.utah.edu/uec/

12. Postcode Lottery Green Challenge

One of the largest sustainable entrepreneurship competitions, participants compete with international entrepreneurs for the best green business plan.

• What you need : A business must have the potential to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by a measurable amount, should be developed enough to execute should be realizable as a usable product or service within the next two years.
• Who can apply : Anyone 18 years or older whose business is located in Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Norway, or Sweden.
• Where : The finals are hosted in Amsterdam, where you will present your idea to the jury (reasonable expenses covered for one person).
• What you could win : Grand prize winner receives €500,000. Second place receives €200,000, and other finalists receive €100,000.
• 2020-21 Deadlines : Dates have not yet been updated.
• Website : http://www.greenchallenge.info/entry-criteria

13. University Startup World Cup

This competition is hosted and organized by a Danish non-profit, Venture Cup. Their mission is to establish connections among student entrepreneurs internationally, as well as teach and advise young people about the world of business.

• What you need : Preferably, a business that fits into one of the following categories: Healthtech, Greentec, Fintech, Hightec & Robotics, or Information Communication technology. However, if your idea is cool enough, they’ll accept anything.
• Who can apply: Only student startups may enter. Therefore, all teams must have at least one person who is a student, faculty member, or recent graduate (within the year they’re applying). However, if you’re looking for team members, Venture Cup can help connect you to people with similar ideas.
• Where: The location is not certain due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• What you could win : Grand prize is $15,000.
• Website : https://venturecup.dk/uswc/

14. Get in the Ring  

One-on-one, regional, and global face-off between startups that takes place in a literal ring.

• What you need : A “high potential” startup that is 8 years or younger with an innovative and scalable business idea or model.
• Who can apply : Anyone with a business fitting the above-described model.
• Where : The beginning stages of the competition are regional, and vary based on your location. Finals are hosted in a different location internationally every year. Travel cost to finals is covered.
• What you could win : GITR offers immense exposure for your business by placing you in a ring where you “battle” other entrepreneurs using your business pitch in front of investors and businesspeople. Grand prize winners receive a seat at the table with hand-picked advisors and investors, and title.
• 2020-21 Deadlines : Dates vary by region.
• Website : https://getinthering.co/gm2021/

15. U. Pitch

This national competition brings university students from all disciplines together to contend for the best 90-second pitch.

• What you need: A company or idea to start a for-profit company with headquarters in the U.S.
• Who can apply : Current university students or graduates within the last six months.
• Where : 100% virtual.
• What you could win : Up to $10,000 in prizes and cash.
• 2020-21 Deadlines : Applications open in the fall of 2021. You can sign up to get notified here .
• Website : https://futurefounders.com/startup/upitch/

16. Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards

This competition brings women from six regions of the world to showcase their ideas.

• What you need : A for-profit startup with at least one year of revenue.
• Who can apply : Only women may apply for this competition.
• Where : Finalists attend awards week in Singapore, where the final round commences.
• What you could win : Grand prize is $100,000. All runner ups receive $30,000.
• 2020-21 Deadlines : Application deadlines have not yet been updated.
• Website : https://application-form.cartierwomensinitiative.com/new-application

17. G-Startup Worldwide  

This is a global competition that supports young entrepreneurs in the early stages of a startup with funding and a network of investors.

• What you need : A product that is making a positive impact, showing traction in the market, and is involved in AI, Mobile, IoT, Wearables, FinTech, Cyber Security, Smart Cars, AR/VR, Space, Robotics/Drones, Education, Enterprise, Health, AggTech, or Social and eCommerce.
• Who can apply : Any startup meeting the previous requirement that is registered as a company.
• Where : First rounds are regional. Finalists compete in Silicon Valley.
• What you could win : Winners of regional competitions receive cash prizes, travel opportunities, and networking invites.
• Website : http://g-startup.net/

18. Axel Springer Plug and Play

While competitive, this 100-day program is more of an accelerator than an out-right competition. They require 5% equity in exchange for participation.

• What you need : A business model for digital entrepreneurship.
• Who can apply : Anyone with an early-stage company and a Pitch-Deck.
• Where : Location varies. Check the website below for more details.
• What you could win : €50,000, valuable time to pitch in front of investors, and experience.
• 2020-21 Deadlines : Deadlines vary based on location and stage of company.
• Website : http://www.axelspringerplugandplay.com/#home-section

19. Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition

Inspired and promoted by the United Nations, this competition takes place through three stages of online submission and selection.

• What you need : Innovative ideas and projects with a societal impact. Must involve one or more of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals .
• Who can apply : Anyone aged 13-29 (or 30+ in the Adult Citizen Entrepreneurship category).
• Where: Winners are invited to the Summit in Berlin in October of every year.
• What you could win : Recognition at the Summit and the UN’s acknowledgement.
• 2020-21 Deadlines : Applications open in Spring 2021.
• Website : https://www.entrepreneurship-campus.org/about-the-competition/

20. CodeLaunch

Annual seed accelerator for people and groups with ideas for “apps” who are seeking seed funding. Entries are submitted online.

• What you need : Any software ideas are taken, even just having an idea for an app is acceptable.
• Who can apply : Anyone that fits the previous criteria.
• Where : Finals are hosted in Texas, dates change every year and might be impacted by COVID-19.
• What you could win : Applicants chosen to attend CodeLaunch pitch day compete in front of judges poised to invest. Overall winner receives custom software design, development, and/or website development, hosting services, and a partnership with Code Authority. Winners may also judge the following year’s competition.
• Website : https://www.codelaunch.com/

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About the author: jacqueline mumford.

2 thoughts on “ Top 20 Student Business-Plan Competitions ”

Thanks Jacqueline for this comprehensive list. I wish I had this information 15 years ago. Had a great idea, pitched it to some venture firms and was turned down and saw the same idea skyrocket to the top two years later when someone else came with the same idea and presented it in a much more convincing way to the investors.

The Draper Competition for Collegiate Women Entrepreneurs is another event that provides microfinancing for undergraduate women-led ventures. Total cash prize pool is $100,000. http://www.smith.edu/draper

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WSU Business Plan Competition: High School League

Ages: High School

Types: Submission, Presentation

Scope: State

[email protected]

Participate

If you’re a student entrepreneur or aspiring business owner, the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies presents the WSU Business Plan Competition – an unparalleled opportunity to practice entrepreneurship in a real-world setting and receive guidance as you launch a new venture, plus a chance to win thousands of dollars in prize money!

Participating in a business plan competition can be a rewarding experience and we are excited to continue to showcase student innovation!

• The Screening Round is the first major hurdle you’ll face in the competition. Submit your 1-page executive summary and a 2-minute video online for scoring by our judges. Five presenting teams will be selected from this first round.
• After the Screening Round, you’ll receive an email naming the teams that will advance to the Presentation Round on the day of the Business Plan Competition. If your team is selected, you’ll need to submit your full business plan (4-7 pages) and pitch deck (10-15 slides) by the deadline in the BPC schedule.
• Our High School League includes five teams. During the Presentation Round, each team delivers a presentation of its business plan to a panel of judges, following the schedule below:
• Set up: 10 minutes
• Presentation: 15 minutes
• Questions and feedback: 20 minutes
• Presenting teams are evaluated both on their written plan and their presentations. Judging criteria include team presentation and style, the customer problem, solution, value proposition, competitive advantages, market and sales strategy, management, and financial planning.
• If you competed in the Presentation Round, you and your teammates will dine with the judges—a priceless opportunity to build professional connections. Following dinner, competition organizers will announce the winning teams.

WSU Business Plan Competition: High School League Awards

Individual Award.

Awards for the High School League range from $250 to $5,000.

Website: https://entrepreneurship.wsu.edu/pursue/wsu-bpc/hs-guidelines/

Managing Organization: Washington State University

Contact: [email protected]

Eligibility: The contest is open to all Washington State high school students. To enter the competition, a team must complete the online registration. Teams should include members possessing the essential background to enable the development of a serious business plan. Interdisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged. There is no limit on the number of members; however, small teams are recommended. Teams must have a school or community advisor.

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NCPA announces finalists for Student Business Plan competition

The National Community Pharmacists Association and the NCPA Foundation announced that teams of pharmacy students from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of South Carolina and the University of Texas at Austin have been named finalists in the 2024 Good Neighbor Pharmacy NCPA Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition. 

The three teams will present their business plans in a live competition on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at the NCPA Annual Convention in Columbus. The winning team will be announced on Sunday, Oct. 27, as part of the convention’s First General Session.

“Having a solid business plan in place makes it easier for pharmacy teams to address whatever challenges inevitably arise in the future,” said Lea Wolsoncroft, president of NCPA. “This competition helps pharmacy students feel confident in writing a thorough business plan now, so that they are better equipped as their careers progress. I’m proud of all teams participating in this year’s Student Business Plan Competition for their strong work and wish good luck to this year’s finalists at the live competition in October! We’re looking forward to seeing them present the plans they’ve been working so hard to design.”

[Read more: 2022 Good Neighbor Pharmacy NCPA Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition finalists announced ]

Team members from final three schools will compete for the following first, second and third place awards:

• First Place: $3,000 to the NCPA student chapter and $3,000 contributed to the school in the dean’s name to promote independent pharmacy.
• Second Place: $2,000 to the NCPA student chapter and $2,000 contributed to the school in the dean’s name to promote independent pharmacy.
• Third Place: $1,000 to the NCPA student chapter and $1,000 contributed to the school in the dean’s name to promote independent pharmacy.

The Student Business Plan Competition, which is supported by Good Neighbor Pharmacy, Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company and the NCPA Foundation, is the first national competition of its kind in the pharmacy profession and honors two great champions of independent community pharmacy, the late Neil Pruitt Sr. and the late H. Joseph Schutte. It aims to motivate students in pharmacy school to create a thought-out plan for either purchasing an existing pharmacy or opening a pharmacy from the ground up, and to prepare tomorrow’s pharmacy entrepreneurs for a successful future.

There were 20 entries in this year’s competition. The teams rounding out the top 10, listed alphabetically, are Mercer University; Northeastern University; Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey; the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; the University of California, San Francisco; the University of Georgia; and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

[Read more: NCPA announces 2021 Good Neighbor Pharmacy Competition finalists ]

The teams’ business plans were graded by independent pharmacy owners, business coaches and consultants, financiers, or community pharmacy practitioners, who must follow a detailed rubric when grading plans. Schools submitting to the competition for the first time receive a plaque for their participation. Each year that a school participates, it will receive a plate commemorating the year of participation to be added to the competition plaque. Teams placing in the top 10 receive a special plate acknowledging this distinction.

Related Topics

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Google is an illegal monopoly, federal court rules

A federal court has found that Google illegally abused its market power to quash competition in internet search, handing the Justice Department a landmark victory against Big Tech.

“Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly,” Judge Amit P. Mehta wrote in his judgment on Monday.

Mehta wrote that Google, a unit of Alphabet Inc., has violated Section 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act by maintaining its monopoly in two product markets in the United States – general search service and general text advertising – through exclusive distribution agreements with customer companies.

The case has been closely watched in antitrust law circles as the first of a string of cases federal prosecutors have launched against high-tech giants. Antitrust enforcers argue that Big Tech has gotten too powerful and doesn’t serve the public interest. Lawsuits have also been filed against Amazon, Meta and Apple.

The Justice Department asserted that Google violated federal antitrust law by forging contracts that require Google to be installed as the default search engine on Android smartphones, among other practices that prevented its rivals from competing on an even playing field.

Google argued that users were free to switch their default search engine, and that it is easy to do so.

The Justice Department and Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.

The case, U.S. et al v. Google, was filed in 2020 under the Trump administration, and prosecutors in the Biden administration’s Justice Department took it to court in September 2023.

The nine-week trial at the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington saw appearances by senior industry executives, including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Apple executives John Giannandrea and Eduardo Cue, to testify about why other major tech companies have struggled to launch competitive rivals to Google search.

The trial and Mehta’s ruling concerned only the question of whether Google violated antitrust laws. A separate proceeding will determine what remedies should be applied to increase competition in the search market.

A separate Justice Department antitrust lawsuit against Google, focused on its advertising technology, is awaiting trial in federal court in Virginia.

Google is also facing antitrust scrutiny in other jurisdictions, including in the European Union, where antitrust regulators announced in March investigations into the company and others under the new Digital Markets Act, a new anti-monopoly law aimed at internet giants.

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5 ways credit cards can offer a break on back-to-school purchases

As back-to-school season approaches, your kids may have outgrown their clothes — but they don't have to outgrow your budget.

Families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $874.68 on clothing, shoes, school supplies and electronics, according to data from the National Retail Federation. For college students and their families, the expected amount on items for the coming year is an average of $1,364.75.

Here's how credit cards can cut some of those costs.

Reward rates vary by type of card, but a decent return for cash-back credit cards might range from 2% back per dollar spent to 5% back on rotating bonus categories. Those rewards can be redeemed for cash or a statement credit to offset school purchases, for example, or applied to future travel.

A credit card that earns cash back generally requires good credit (typically, FICO scores of 690 or higher). A rewards credit card is ideal only if you pay your balance off in full every month to avoid interest charges. Otherwise, the steep interest rates on these cards will cancel out the value of rewards.

You can leverage these kinds of credit cards with purchases already allocated in your budget like gas, certain utilities or groceries, said Barbara Quan, accredited financial counselor and manager of financial education at Golden 1 Credit Union, in an email.

2. Sign-up bonuses

A credit card sign-up bonus can be worth hundreds of dollars if you meet the minimum spending requirement with planned expenses. If you're seeking a new credit card, it's one way to potentially defray the costs of back-to-school spending or lessen the costs of other expenses.

"Many cards offer hundreds of dollars in cash back or rewards points after meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first few months," Quan said. "By strategically timing your back-to-school shopping to coincide with this period, you can earn the bonus while purchasing necessary items like clothes, supplies and electronics."

Quan suggested doing research to select a card that aligns with your spending patterns and overall financial goals. A budget that outlines projected expenses during the bonus period can also help you track your progress and prevent overspending, she added.

3. Interest-free windows for purchases

Certain gadgets and supplies carry hefty price tags. A rewards credit card with an introductory 0% annual percentage rate can offer breathing room for large purchases. You still have to pay monthly, but you won't be charged interest during the promotional period.

A word of caution, though: A store credit card may also offer an interest-free promotion that might sound like a true 0% introductory APR, but is actually a deferred interest offer. Typically advertised as "special financing" or "no interest if paid in full," a deferred interest offer means that interest is postponed but continues accruing in the background, to be applied at a later date if you don't finish paying off the balance by the deadline.

A deferred interest offer can still be a useful way to finance a purchase, but you'll need to make absolutely sure you can pay it off on time to avoid owing interest charges retroactive to the time of the original purchase. The ongoing interest rates on these store credit cards can run high, so these charges could be a pricey surprise that derails your finances if you're not prepared to cover them.

4. Online shopping portals

Multiply your credit card rewards by shopping through the card's bonus mall or linked offers. For example, a credit card issuer might offer a discount or additional rewards if you use that card to shop with select merchants.

Before you hit the stores in person or online, browse your credit card offers by logging into your account. If you find some money-saving opportunities, map out a plan that maximizes the value of your purchases.

A few credit cards may offer credits for streaming services, meal plan subscriptions, grocery or restaurant delivery services, or other useful options that could save money or simplify the transition back to school. As you adjust to a new schedule, such a credit could potentially save you money on a music subscription for the car ride to school, or a meal prep service that gives you some time back.

Look up your credit card online or log into your account to see whether it provides any helpful credits.

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Google illegally maintains monopoly over internet search, judge rules

Matthew Barakat And Michael Liedtke

Associated Press

WASHINGTON – A judge on Monday ruled that Google's ubiquitous search engine has been illegally exploiting its dominance to squash competition and stifle innovation, a seismic decision that could shake up the internet and hobble one of the world's best-known companies.

The highly anticipated decision issued by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta comes nearly a year after the start of a trial pitting the U.S. Justice Department against Google in the country's biggest antitrust showdown in a quarter century.

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After reviewing reams of evidence that included testimony from top executives at Google, Microsoft and Apple during last year's 10-week trial, Mehta issued his potentially market-shifting decision three months after the two sides presented their closing arguments in early May.

“After having carefully considered and weighed the witness testimony and evidence, the court reaches the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly," Mehta wrote in his 277-page ruling. He said Google’s dominance in the search market is evidence of its monopoly.

Google “enjoys an 89.2% share of the market for general search services, which increases to 94.9% on mobile devices,” the ruling said.

It represents a major setback for Google and its parent, Alphabet Inc., which had steadfastly argued that its popularity stemmed from consumers' overwhelming desire to use a search engine so good at what it does that it has become synonymous with looking things up online. Google's search engine processes an estimated 8.5 billion queries per day worldwide, nearly doubling its daily volume from 12 years ago, according to a recent study released by the investment firm BOND.

Kent Walker, Google’s president of global affairs, said the company intends to appeal Mehta’s findings.

“This decision recognizes that Google offers the best search engine, but concludes that we shouldn’t be allowed to make it easily available,” Walker said.

For now, the decision vindicates antitrust regulators at the Justice Department, which filed its lawsuit nearly four years ago while Donald Trump was still president, and has been escalating it efforts to rein in Big Tech’s power during President Joe Biden’s administration.

“This victory against Google is an historic win for the American people,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “No company — no matter how large or influential — is above the law. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce our antitrust laws.”

The case depicted Google as a technological bully that methodically has thwarted competition to protect a search engine that has become the centerpiece of a digital advertising machine that generated nearly $240 billion in revenue last year. Justice Department lawyers argued that Google's monopoly enabled it to charge advertisers artificially high prices while also enjoying the luxury of not having to invest more time and money into improving the quality of its search engine — a lax approach that hurt consumers.

Mehta’s ruling focused on the billions of dollars Google spends every year to install its search engine as the default option on new cellphones and tech gadgets. In 2021 alone, Google spent more than $26 billion to lock in those default agreements, Mehta said in his ruling.

Google ridiculed those allegations, noting that consumers have historically changed search engines when they become disillusioned with the results they were getting. For instance, Yahoo was the most popular search engine during the 1990s before Google came along.

Mehta said the evidence at trial showed the importance of the default settings. He noted that Microsoft's Bing search engine has 80% share of the search market on the Microsoft Edge browser. The judge said that shows other search engines can be successful if Google is not locked in as the predetermined default option.

Still, Mehta credited the quality of Google's product as an important part of its dominance, as well, saying flatly that "Google is widely recognized as the best (general search engine) available in the United States.”

The Consumer Choice Center, a lobbying group that has fought other attempts to rein in businesses, decried Mehta’s decision as a step in the wrong direction. “The United States is drifting toward the anti-tech posture of the European Union, a part of the world that makes almost nothing and penalizes successful American companies for their popularity,” said Yael Ossowski, the center’s deputy director.

Mehta's conclusion that Google has been running an illegal monopoly sets up another legal phase to determine what sorts of changes or penalties should be imposed to reverse the damage done and restore a more competitive landscape. He scheduled a Sept. 6 hearing to begin setting the stage for the next phase.

The potential outcome could result in a wide-ranging order requiring Google to dismantle some of the pillars of its internet empire, or preventing it from paying to ensure its search engine automatically answers queries on the iPhone and other devices. Or, the judge could conclude only modest changes are required to level the playing field.

“Google’s loss in its search antitrust trial could be a huge deal — depending on the remedy,” said Emarketer senior analyst Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf.

Regardless, she added, a drawn-out appeals process will delay any immediate effects for both consumers and advertisers.

The appeals process could take as long as five years, predicted George Hay, a law professor at Cornell University who was the chief economist for the Justice Department’s antitrust division for most of the 1970s. That lengthy process will enable Google to fend off the likelihood of Mehta banning default search agreements, Hay said, but it probably won’t shield the company from class-action lawsuits citing the judge’s findings that advertisers were gouged with monopolistic pricing.

If there is a significant shakeup, it could turn out to be a coup for Microsoft, whose own power was undermined during the late 1990s when the Justice Department targeted the software maker in an antitrust lawsuit accusing it of abusing the dominance of its Windows operating system on personal computers to lock out competition.

That Microsoft case mirrored the one brought against Google in several ways and now the result could also echo similarly. Just as Microsoft's bruising antitrust battle created distractions and obstacles that opened up more opportunities for Google after its 1998 inception, the decision against Google could be a boon for Microsoft, which already has a market value of more than $3 trillion. At one time, Alphabet was worth more than Microsoft, but now trails its rival, with a market value of about $2 trillion.

If Mehta decides to limit or ban Google’s default search deals, it could squeeze Apple’s profits, too. Although parts of his decision were redacted to protect confidential business information, Mehta noted that Google paid Apple an estimated $20 billion in 2022, doubling from 2020. The judge also noted Apple has periodically considered building its own search technology, but backed off that after a 2018 analysis estimated the company would lose more than $12 billion in revenue during the first five years after a break-up with Google.

Google’s payments have helped Apple’s steadily growing services division, which generated $85 billion in revenue during the company’s last fiscal year. Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Justice Department’s antitrust division has recently taken on some of the biggest companies in the world. It sued Apple in March and in May announced a sweeping lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its owner, Live Nation Entertainment. Antitrust enforcers have also opened investigations into the roles Microsoft, Nvidia and OpenAI have played in the artificial intelligence boom.

The Biden administration has won some big cases, including blocking mergers of some of the world’s biggest publishers as well as JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines. It’s also had some notable setbacks, including in the sugar and healthcare industries.

Google faces several other legal threats both in the U.S. and abroad. In September, a federal trial is scheduled to begin in Virginia over the Justice Department’s allegations that Google’s advertising technology constitutes an illegal monopoly.

Liedtke reported from San Ramon, California. Associated Press writers Alanna Durkin Richer and Barbara Ortutay contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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Zhukovsky International Airport

Zhukovsky International Airport, formerly known as Ramenskoye Airport or Zhukovsky Airfield - international airport, located in Moscow Oblast, Russia 36 km southeast of central Moscow, in the town of Zhukovsky, a few kilometers southeast of the old Bykovo Airport. After its reconstruction in 2014–2016, Zhukovsky International Airport was officially opened on 30 May 2016. The declared capacity of the new airport was 4 million passengers per year.

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