The Princeton Business Challenge is a free, virtual business and problem-solving competition open to students from Kindergarten through 12th grade worldwide. Competitors receive a brief describing a challenge faced by a local Princeton business, then research, brainstorm, and pitch a solution, either live to industry professionals or as a recorded pitch. Each competitor is paired with a high school upperclassman or college student mentor, and the program also offers free online business courses. The competition is not affiliated with Princeton University.
Pitches are judged on creativity, feasibility, communication, and overall impact, with bonus points for sustainability and community focus. Each age category has 1 to 3 winners: $50 for 1st place, $25 for 2nd, and $15 for 3rd. The program reports over 1,200 competitors and 100 volunteers. The most recent edition listed on the site is the 2025 Summer Challenge, and the organizers say to stay tuned for the Spring Competition.
Sources checked November 4, 2026: homepage, About and FAQ. The next Spring Competition has no announced year or dates. Flexible scheduling of a competitor’s pitch is separate from registration, whose opening and cutoff remain unknown.