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Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition

Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition

Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition

OpenBusinessEntrepreneurshipCompetition

About the Program

Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition

A free, fully virtual entrepreneurship competition for high-school students worldwide. Participants may enter individually or in teams of up to five. An existing company or prototype is not required.

Participation

  1. Register before the pitch-submission deadline to receive access to the free Blue Ocean Mini-Course and competition resources.
  2. Develop an original business idea and use the required Blue Ocean Strategy tools: Strategy Canvas, Three Tiers of Noncustomers, Buyer Utility Map, and Eliminate-Reduce-Raise-Create Grid.
  3. Submit one English pitch video, at least three and less than five minutes long, by February 21, 2027 at 23:59 in the participant's local time zone. The organizer requires the video to be posted to YouTube with #blueoceancompetition and both the YouTube link and the video file to be entered in its submission form.

Eligibility and cost

Open to students worldwide who are enrolled in high school or equivalent pre-university study when registering. Homeschooled entrants must be 14–18; the general school-enrollment rule does not state a universal age limit. Students may compete solo or on a team of up to five; every team member must register. Registration, course, resources, and submission are free.

The official 2026–2027 timeline lists the virtual finale for May 13, 2027. The organizer says participants who submit receive a participation certificate; winners receive cash awards.

Sources: official competition rules and timeline, official eligibility and fee FAQ, submission checklist, official organization page; checked November 4, 2026.

The FAQ specifies a 3–5 minute pitch, while the competition rules say under five minutes. A pitch of at least three and less than five minutes satisfies both published statements. Videos must be under 1 GB and use normal playback speed. Submit an mp4, qt, webm, mov, wmv or flv file named for the product or idea; generic filenames are not accepted.

Eligibility

Open worldwide to students enrolled in high school or equivalent pre-university study when registering, including secondary school, GCSE/IGCSE, O-Level, A-Level and IB study. Students who graduate after registering may still submit. Homeschooled students may compete if aged 14–18. Enter individually or in a team of up to five; every participant must register. Complete the mini-course and submit an original English pitch using the required Blue Ocean tools. The FAQ specifies a 3–5 minute video; the competition rules say under five minutes. A pitch of at least three and less than five minutes satisfies both published statements. The video file must use mp4, qt, webm, mov, wmv or flv format and be named for the product or idea; generic filenames are not accepted. Files must be under 1 GB and played at normal speed. The published 14–18 age range applies to homeschooled entrants. The general school-enrollment rule does not state a universal age limit. High school or equivalent pre-university enrollment at registration; worldwide applicants accepted.

Eligible Countries

All countries Open worldwide to students in high school or equivalent pre-university study at registration; homeschooled entrants must be 14–18.

How to Apply

Register online before the pitch submission deadline to access the free Blue Ocean Mini-Course. Complete the course, develop an original business idea, use the required Blue Ocean tools, and submit an English pitch video of at least three and less than five minutes through the official submission process by February 21, 2027 at 23:59 in the participant's local time zone. Submit both the YouTube link and the video file through the official pitch submission form; only one entry is allowed per team. Use mp4, qt, webm, mov, wmv or flv format and a filename identifying the product or idea; generic filenames are rejected.