Innovation Case Competition · 2026

Four weeks. One startup. One real problem.

A live challenge a company is facing right now. Build the strategy, create the solution, present to the founders — and if you win, you implement it with them.

01 — The bar

No gate to get in. A high bar to clear.

Open to anyone who wants to start — and held to a standard that makes the proof you walk away with worth something.

600+
Students
45+
Countries
40+
Mentors
$10,000+
In Cash Prizes
500+
Mentorship Hours
100%
Virtual
02 — The proof

You don't just leave with a certificate. You leave with the work.

A strategy, a solution, a pitch you delivered to the founders — and for the winning team, a solution you implement with the company.

Portfolio artifact Implemented solution Signed certificate
03 — How it works

Four weeks. Five moves.

01

Pre Launch

Teams receive the case and resources

02

Launch Day

Welcome session with the startup founders

03

Solve the Case

Three weeks to build your solution

04

Prepare the Pitch

Top 5 teams announced as finalists

05

Pitch Day

Present to founders, judges and advisors

04 — Why it counts

Not a simulation. Work rigorous enough to count.

An authentic learning experience where you create work that actually gets implemented. Rigor which is valued by colleges and employers.

A startup's live problem

Every case is a live problem a company is facing right now — not a textbook exercise with an answer key.

Mentored by Stanford, Berkeley, McKinsey & BCG

Students, alumni, and working operators who hold your work to the standard a client would.

$10,000 in awards & internship

Cash prizes for the top teams — and the winning team implements their solution through an internship with the company.

You leave with an artifact

A strategy, a solution, a pitch you delivered to the founders — yours to show. Never a participation badge.

06 — Register

Register early. Lower cost.

Early Bird I
$120
Per Student Deadline

April 26, 2026

Early Bird II
$175
Per Student Deadline

May 31, 2026

Regular
$200
Per Student Deadline

July 5, 2026

Individual applicants welcome — we'll place you on a team.

✦ Real experiences. Real industries. Real impact.