Case Competition · 2026
Who can join, what it costs, how refunds work.
Eligibility, the dates you have to be available, how registration tiers work, and how refunds are handled.
01 — Who can join
Eligibility
Open to all high school students — grades 8 through 12 — anywhere in the world. The competition is virtual, so the only requirement beyond grade level is a stable internet connection and the ability to attend the synchronous sessions.
02 — How you join
Team structure
All teams are 3–4 students. There are two paths in:
- As a team. Each of your 3–4 members fills out the application form individually, listing the others and your team name.
- As an individual. If you don't have a team, apply solo. We'll match you with other solo applicants before Launch Day and introduce you ahead of the case drop.
03 — Time commitment
Mandatory dates
To participate, you need to be available for:
- Case Launch Day — July 19, 2026
- Mentorship sessions — two per week with your case coach between July 19 and August 9, 2026
- Pitch Day — August 23, 2026
Typical weekly load is 6–8 hours. Questions? Email contact@casecatalyst.org.
04 — Pricing
Registration tiers
| Deadline | Period | Cost per student |
|---|---|---|
| April 26, 2026 | Early Bird I | $120 USD |
| May 31, 2026 | Early Bird II | $175 USD |
| July 5, 2026 | Regular | $200 USD |
05 — Refund policy
When you can cancel, and what we'll refund.
At a glance
60%
≥14 days before
Cancel 14+ calendar days before Launch Day for a 60% refund.
Up to 20%
7–13 days before
Case-by-case review, only if no resources or team have been assigned yet.
0%
0–6 days before
No refunds within the final week or after Launch Day.
0%
After resources sent
Once any case materials or team assignments have been shared, refunds are closed.
How to request a refund
- Email contact@casecatalyst.org from the email you used to register. Subject line: "Refund Request – CaseCatalyst."
- Include your name, the refund amount you're requesting, which deadline you registered by, and the reason.
- We'll confirm eligibility within 10 business days. If approved, we refund to your original payment method — typically 5–10 business days to appear.
Additional terms
Processing time. Approved refunds typically appear within 5–10 business days, depending on your bank.
Fees. We do not refund third-party transaction fees we've already incurred, if any.
Transfers. If you're ineligible for a refund, you may transfer your sign-up to another student at no additional cost — provided the request comes ≥7 days before Launch Day and before resources or team assignment.
Legal rights. Nothing in this policy limits any rights you may have under applicable consumer laws.
Examples
Cancel 16 days before Launch Day: 60% refund.
Cancel 10 days before Launch Day, no resources or team yet: we'll review — up to 20% may be approved.
Cancel 5 days before Launch Day, case sent yesterday: no refund (resources delivered).
Cancel 3 days before Launch Day: no refund.