Today’s high school students are tomorrow’s industry leaders. They’re harnessing their creativity and critical thinking skills to develop novel business ideas and intricate business plans. These entrepreneurial endeavors aren’t just classroom exercises; they’re significant steps on the road to potentially successful startups.
A plethora of entrepreneurship competitions exist to challenge, inspire, and reward these young innovators. From esteemed innovation challenges to prestigious pitch competitions held at the most prestigious business schools, these contests provide invaluable platforms for students to showcase their ideas, receive critical feedback, and earn seed funding for their fledgling ventures.
This article serves as a compass to navigate through these opportunities. We’ve carefully handpicked and profiled a series of significant business competitions for high school students.
So, if you’re a high school student with a dream to launch your own company or an educator seeking resources for your students, read on. Your entrepreneurial journey begins here!
Brett Fuller
Academic Development Manager | Pioneer Academics
Former Associate Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Wake Forest University
Former Senior Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
There are many different approaches to crafting an effective college application, but the best share at least two traits: they give admissions officers a very clear sense of the student’s “voice”, and they distinguish the student from their peers in some meaningful way. “Voice” in this instance refers to a combination of the traits that make the student who they are such as their personality, interests, background, aspirations, etc. I often describe the sense of “voice” in an application in the following way – if you were to hand your application to someone you trusted who knew you incredibly well (a family member, best friend, counselor) would they agree that it represents you? You are submitting your application to an admissions officer who is presumably a complete stranger; will that AO be left with an accurate impression of who you are?
The second common denominator for effective applications is the ability to distinguish yourself from peers. This is where competitions or achievements can come into play. If you list business as a potential college major in your application, an admissions officer is going to be looking for support of that interest. They will want to know where that interest came from, and how you have engaged with it. This can be as simple as looking at your transcript to see if you have challenged yourself in related fields like math, relative to what your school offers. But, it also can provide an opportunity to show that you have gone above and beyond taking classes of interest.
The list below represents a number of different types of competitions that can add substance and depth to your interests in an application. Some are team competitions and others are completed individually. Some are more regional in nature and others are national or even international in their scope. Entering one of these competitions comes with the baked in benefit of getting to dive deeper into your field of interest! Even before being considered for a prize of any kind, you gain experience and knowledge that will add to your application and add to your foundation of knowledge as you prepare for undergraduate study. If you do manage to win a prize, your application can be distinguished from your peers in a meaningful way. That prize is a clear indicator to admissions officers that you have produced high quality work, and your interest in the field has real depth
💡Bonus tips for choosing the right academic programs:
Pioneer Academics
Pioneer Academics is an esteemed research program committed to fostering intellectual growth and research acumen among students.
The curriculum is tailored to empower students with the ability to conduct research at an undergraduate level. These skills can serve as invaluable assets in a variety of real-world situations, as they facilitate insightful analysis and innovative problem-solving.
Guided by experienced Pioneer Academics faculty, students delve into their subjects of interest, exploring various dimensions and perspectives. The culmination of the program is an undergraduate-level research paper, a testament to the research proficiency attained.
While not specifically targeted towards entrepreneurship, the skills acquired and refined through this program can potentially give students a competitive edge in competitions of all kinds.
Wharton Global High School Investment Competition – Wharton University
The Wharton Global High School Investment Competition is one of the most prestigious investment competitions designed for high school students (9th to 12th grade). This online investment simulation encourages teamwork, communication, risk analysis, and diversification skills.
Each team, led by a student leader, is responsible for developing a business plan and investment strategy, conducting a detailed business analysis of sectors and industries, learning new concepts, and meeting deliverable deadlines.
The judging criteria are based on investment strategy, client knowledge, portfolio analysis, teamwork, and creativity.
It offers high schoolers a chance to develop strong analytical abilities, business innovation skills, and a chance to solve real-world problems.
| Format | In-Person and Online |
|---|---|
| Cost | Certificates, a complimentary spot in the Wharton Online Summer Program for winning teams |
| Program Dates | September 20, 2022 - April 22, 2023 |
| Application Deadline(s) | September 16, 2022 |
| Format | In-Person and Online |
|---|---|
| Cost | Certificates, a complimentary spot in the Wharton Online Summer Program for winning teams |
| Program Dates | September 20, 2022 - April 22, 2023 |
| Application Deadline(s) | September 16, 2022 |
GENIUS Olympiad
The GENIUS Olympiad is an innovation challenge that seeks to promote environmental consciousness and social responsibility among high school students.
The business competition encourages students to present innovative business concepts aimed at reducing the human impact on the environment or making existing products and services greener.
These presentations, which mimic investment proposals, are accompanied by detailed business plans that include market analysis, product description, promotional strategies, and profit goals.
For those who focus on social responsibility, participants propose environmental solutions for existing businesses and analyze the effects of their implementation. Judging criteria include the creativity of the concept, its feasibility, marketability, profitability, environmental impact, the team’s knowledge, and communication skills.
The business competition provides a unique platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial mindset.
| Format | Online |
|---|---|
| Cost | Certificates $20,000 in renewable scholarships |
| Program Dates | June 12th-15th 2023 |
| Application Deadline(s) | March 1st, 2023 |
| Format | Online |
|---|---|
| Cost | Certificates $20,000 in renewable scholarships |
| Program Dates | June 12th-15th 2023 |
| Application Deadline(s) | March 1st, 2023 |
The Blue Ocean Competition
The Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition, one of the globe’s leading business competitions, is a virtual contest open to high school students worldwide. Participants can enter the competition either individually or as part of a team of two to five students.
The challenge is two-fold: it prompts students to identify an unsolved real-world problem and then to propose a unique ‘blue ocean’ business solution.
During the pitch round, teams pitch their revolutionary ideas and then structure their presentation using provided templates, finally recording a five-minute video.
The Blue Ocean Competition motivates participation by offering a substantial cash prize and awarding it to the schools with the most submissions during the submission round or pitches that make the Top 25.
Notably, the cash prizes include $1000 for first place, $750 for second place, $500 for third place, and $750 for the People’s Choice award. Additionally, certificates are bestowed upon selected teachers and schools that endorse student entrepreneurship and innovation.
This entrepreneurial competition offers an exceptional opportunity for high school students to investigate their entrepreneurial mindset and innovate to tackle current difficulties.
| Format | Online |
|---|---|
| Cost | Certificates Cash prizes ranging $500-$1000 First place winner gets an internship |
| Program Dates | February 18th, 2023 |
| Application Deadline(s) | Rolling Admission till February 17th, 2023 |
| Format | Online |
|---|---|
| Cost | Certificates Cash prizes ranging $500-$1000 First place winner gets an internship |
| Program Dates | February 18th, 2023 |
| Application Deadline(s) | Rolling Admission till February 17th, 2023 |
Conrad Challenge
The Conrad Challenge is a unique, mission-driven innovation competition designed to cultivate the next generation of global entrepreneurs.
Open to students aged 13-18, the challenge provides an opportunity for young minds to apply science, technology, and innovation to solve current societal challenges. The goal is not only to devise a viable business idea but also to plan and execute it effectively.
With the guidance of industry experts, participants hone skills such as collaboration, creativity, analytical thinking, and communication. The ultimate goal of the challenge is to help students enter college and the future workforce armed with the necessary skills to succeed.
The 2022-2023 Conrad Challenge saw a record-breaking participation with over 950 teams registering from around the world. Of these, 823 teams, comprising over 2,800 students from 50 different countries, participated in the Innovation Stage.
The Conrad Challenge takes pride in the cultural and social diversity of its participants, reflecting the global nature of today’s world.
| Format | In-person |
|---|---|
| Cost | Become a Pete Conrad Scholar, receive prizes such as scholarships, as well as discounted access to professional services for the winning team |
| Program Dates | January 13th - April 2023 |
| Application Deadline(s) | January 13th, 2023 |
| Format | In-person |
|---|---|
| Cost | Become a Pete Conrad Scholar, receive prizes such as scholarships, as well as discounted access to professional services for the winning team |
| Program Dates | January 13th - April 2023 |
| Application Deadline(s) | January 13th, 2023 |
FCCLA Virtual Business Challenge
The FCCLA Virtual Business Challenge, which focuses on Personal Finance and Fashion, invites high school students to demonstrate their skills in two rounds during Fall 2022 and Spring 2023.
Utilizing a competition version of the Virtual Business classroom software, teams manipulate specific actions within the simulations, with their scores automatically submitted to the Knowledge Matters’ website.
The National Championship Round, or final round, open only to qualifying teams, offers cash prizes, with $1,000 for 1st place, $500 for 2nd, and $250 for 3rd. Scores are ranked nationally and by state, with the top teams receiving website recognition after each challenge.
| Format | Online |
|---|---|
| Cost | 1st Place - $1,000 2nd Place - $500 3rd Place - $250 |
| Program Dates | October 11, 2023 till April 7, 2023 |
| Application Deadline(s) | October 4th, 2022 |
| Format | Online |
|---|---|
| Cost | 1st Place - $1,000 2nd Place - $500 3rd Place - $250 |
| Program Dates | October 11, 2023 till April 7, 2023 |
| Application Deadline(s) | October 4th, 2022 |
Cooper Hewitt National Design Competition
In 2016, the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum launched the National High School Design Competition, an annual event designed to challenge and inspire high school students to conceive unique solutions to real-world issues.
The 2023 competition invites these young creatives to focus on data visualization for community support. In this challenge, students must display their aptitude for conveying intricate facts and figures through graphic representations, such as charts, graphs, or maps, thus fostering a narrative of creative storytelling.
Teens aged 13-19 can partake in this competition either individually or in teams of up to three people. To commemorate their efforts, the work of finalists and those receiving honorable mentions will be featured on the Cooper Hewitt website, shedding light on the potential of these promising designers.
| Format | In-person and online |
|---|---|
| Cost | The winner will receive a custom design gift package valued at approximately $500.00 from SHOP Cooper Hewitt. The winner will receive a complimentary Family Membership to Cooper Hewitt. |
| Program Dates | April 6th, 2023 - June 11th, 2023 |
| Application Deadline(s) | February 13th, 2023 |
| Format | In-person and online |
|---|---|
| Cost | The winner will receive a custom design gift package valued at approximately $500.00 from SHOP Cooper Hewitt. The winner will receive a complimentary Family Membership to Cooper Hewitt. |
| Program Dates | April 6th, 2023 - June 11th, 2023 |
| Application Deadline(s) | February 13th, 2023 |
Technovation Challenge
Technovation Girls is a global initiative where girls use technology to address community problems. Each year, they tackle pressing issues such as climate change, domestic violence, and women’s equality. In 2022, 1,700 Technovation Girls teams worked on diverse projects. This program is backed by a supportive community of mentors, ambassadors, volunteers, and parents. By joining, participants can learn to code mobile apps or AI projects for social good, even if they have no prior tech experience.| Format | Submission |
|---|---|
| Cost | Technovation will award $500 per student team member to the winners of the Climate Prize. Technovation will award $500 per student team member to the winners of the Combating Hunger Prize. |
| Program Dates | March 28th, - June 30th, 2023 |
| Application Deadline(s) | October 11th, 2022 |
| Format | Submission |
|---|---|
| Cost | Technovation will award $500 per student team member to the winners of the Climate Prize. Technovation will award $500 per student team member to the winners of the Combating Hunger Prize. |
| Program Dates | March 28th, - June 30th, 2023 |
| Application Deadline(s) | October 11th, 2022 |
💡Bonus tips in choosing the right academic programs:
Learn More
If you’re a high school student interested in learning more about the best business competitions for High School Students, we encourage you to attend a free online information session.
Doing research is commonplace.
