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Global Case Competition (HCGCC)

OpenBusinessEntrepreneurshipCompetition

About the Program

Global Case Competition (HCGCC)

The Harvard-Crimson Global Case Competition is an online case competition for high-school students. Participants analyze business challenges and present solutions to judges. Free bootcamps, live webinars, articles, and past case solutions are available to participants.

2026 eligibility and format

The official terms say students must be ages 13–18 and enrolled in secondary/high school at the time of the global competition, or, if already graduated, not begin university in 2026. Students register individually, then form a team of 2–4; all team members must complete individual registration. The terms deem parent or guardian permission obtained for participants under 18. The competition is virtual.

Fees and deadlines

The official 2026 terms set a non-refundable USD 15 early-bird individual fee through September 2, 2026, and a non-refundable USD 20 regular individual fee through October 14, 2026 (both registration cutoffs at 23:59 GMT). The terms mention promo codes but say they are not accessible upon request. Team registration closes October 20 at 23:59 GMT. The regional case is released October 22; the team leader submits a 5–8-slide PDF by October 29 at 23:59 GMT. Regional video pitches are due November 12; the global-round PDF is due November 26; virtual finals are November 29; winners are announced December 1. See the official timeline and terms for all round details and time zones.

The regional and global rounds use presentations, with later-stage video pitches and live virtual judging for finalists. Prizes listed in the terms include team cash awards, Crimson credit, mentoring, and work-experience opportunities; conditions apply.

Sources

Verified November 4, 2026: July 14 was the opening of individual registration. The 2026 registration cutoffs were September 2 (early bird), October 14 (regular), and October 20 (team registration); the regional case was released October 22. The announced remaining stages are November 6 regional qualifiers, November 12 regional video submission, November 19 regional winners and global case release, November 26 global PDF submission, November 29 live finals, and December 1 global winners. The terms specify GMT−4 for the November 6 announcement, while the timeline gives GMT+0 for all dates. The eligibility paragraph also refers to a global competition in September 2026, although both schedules place the finals on November 29. No 2027 schedule was announced on these official pages as of this check.

Eligibility

Official 2026 terms state students must be 13–18 and attending secondary/high school at the time of the global competition; students who have graduated may qualify if they do not start university in 2026. Each participant registers individually and must join a team of 2–4 students. Under-18 participants are deemed to have parent/guardian permission. Ages 13–18 under the official 2026 terms; see the current rules for the exact enrollment condition. Secondary or high school students; see the official terms for the 2026 cycle's condition.

Eligible Countries

All countries Worldwide participation; eligibility is subject to the official 2026 terms.

How to Apply

Every student must register individually and pay the applicable non-refundable fee (USD 15 early bird through September 2, then USD 20 through October 14, 2026, both deadlines at 23:59 GMT). Registrants form teams of 2–4; team registration closes October 20, 2026 at 23:59 GMT. Teams submit a 5–8-slide PDF for the regional qualifying round by October 29, then progress to regional video and global rounds if selected.