Real business problems
Work from an industry-grounded challenge, not a hypothetical coding prompt.
Global pre-college venture program · Year-round ecosystem
Solve a real business problem.Build with AI.Pitch to Wall Street.
A global program for pre-college innovators where technical imagination meets investor-grade business thinking—and promising ideas become testable AI ventures.
Global team registration is openCompetition dates and host-city details are announced by program cycle
AI with purpose
Explain why AI is the right tool and where human oversight still matters.
Measurable value
Connect the product to customer value, cost, revenue, efficiency, and ROI.
Live venture pitch
Defend the idea before experienced founders, executives, and business leaders.
Why this global program is different
AI is only valuable when it creates business value.
AI for Business Competition connects pre-college innovators around the world with industry leaders, founders, educators, and investors to solve real-world business problems with AI.
“We don't just ask, ‘Can AI do it?’ We ask, ‘Does it make business sense?’”
Competition journey
From idea to investor-style pitch.
Each stage raises the standard: understand the customer, test the product, quantify the value, and defend the business case.
Register
Form a team of 2–4 students. No existing project is required.
Challenge reveal
Receive the official real-world business case and supporting material.
Round 1
Submit a one-page brief, a 3-minute video, and a five-slide deck.
Top 10 venture sprint
Interview users, build an MVP, test assumptions, and quantify ROI.
Final 5
Pitch live at the Wall Street Demo Day in New York City.
Venture continuation
Selected teams may be invited into continued mentorship through the YEFA × Smart Capital Club network.
Real Business Problem→AI Solution→MVP→ROI→Pitch
Who should compete
Pre-college talent. Founder-level ambition.
You do not need to be an expert programmer. The open division is for students typically ages 14–18, including grades 9–12 and international secondary-school equivalents.
Ages 14–18 · Grades 9–12 or international equivalent · Teams of 2–4
The builder
Creates with code, no-code tools, models, or APIs.
The business thinker
Connects customer needs with markets, operations, finance, and value.
The product designer
Turns complicated ideas into clear, testable experiences.
The domain explorer
Brings insight from healthcare, finance, education, sustainability, or another industry.
Example challenge areas
Every industry has problems worth solving.
Each annual challenge brief will be released only after partner approval. No confidential sponsor information will be published prematurely.
01Healthcare02Financial services03Education04Retail & e-commerce05Real estate06Professional services07Sustainability08Operations & customer experience
Rules & judging
AI complexity does not equal business value.
Round 1 submissions should be assigned to three judges where possible. Conflicts are declared, large score disagreement is flagged, and no team advances on one opinion alone.
Confirmed judges and mentors will be announced by competition cycle after individual and employer approval.
View the 100-point rubric ↓Problem importance15
Customer insight15
Appropriate use of AI15
Business impact / ROI15
Innovation / differentiation10
Feasibility10
Evidence / validation10
Execution concept5
Communication5
Responsible AI
Use AI. Disclose it. Verify it. Defend it.
01AI tools may support research, brainstorming, coding, analysis, prototyping, design, and presentation.
02Teams remain responsible for accuracy, originality, legality, safety, and business judgment.
03Material AI use must be disclosed, confidential third-party data requires permission, and outside sources should be cited.
04Every finalist must be able to explain and defend every part of the solution during Q&A.
Awards
Recognition for technology, impact, and founder thinking.
Prize amounts and sponsor-backed awards remain configurable and will be published only after confirmation.
Grand Prize
Best overall AI-powered business venture.
Amount to be confirmedBest AI Innovation
Most appropriate and differentiated use of AI.
Best Business Impact
Strongest measurable value and ROI case.
Young Founder Award
Exceptional founder insight, resilience, and leadership.
People's Choice
Audience-recognized final presentation.
Organizers & partner ecosystem
Built for global reach and real business thinking.
YEFA and Smart Capital Club bring together entrepreneurship education, financial literacy, market insight, and founder-style problem solving. Companies, schools, universities, and community organizations can help students participate from anywhere.
Co-organizer
01Corporate problem partners02School and education networks03Mentors and judges04Supporting sponsorsYouth entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and global competition experience.
Co-organizer
Capital literacy, market insight, investor-style thinking, and founder development.
Confirmed partner and sponsor marks will be added here after approval.
FAQ
Clear answers before you build.
Final dates, venue, fees, prize amounts, and travel coverage will be posted after organizer and sponsor approval.
Who can compete?+
Pre-college students worldwide—typically ages 14–18 or grades 9–12 and international equivalents—may form teams of 2–4. A future undergraduate division will use separate eligibility and registration rules.
Do I need to know how to code?+
No. Strong teams combine technical, business, research, product, design, and communication skills. A production-ready product is not required.
Can students from different schools form a team?+
Yes. Teams may also represent a club, training organization, community group, or education partner.
Can we use ChatGPT or other AI tools?+
Yes. Material AI use must be disclosed, important claims must be verified, and every team member must be able to explain the submitted work.
What is an MVP?+
The simplest testable version of your solution—for example, a clickable prototype, focused chatbot, lightweight dashboard, automated workflow, or small working demo.
What is ROI?+
Return on Investment compares the value a business receives with what it spends. Students should discuss cost, savings, revenue, efficiency, and risk reduction without needing advanced finance models.
Who owns the idea?+
Students retain ownership of their original work. Any later incubation, licensing, investment, or equity relationship would require a separate agreement.
Are winners guaranteed investment?+
No. Participation, finalist status, or winning does not guarantee investment, funding, company formation, or admission to an incubation program.
Global applications