9 High School Innovation Competitions with Cash Prizes
Discover 9 top innovation competitions for high school students that offer cash prizes. Learn how to enter, what to submit, and where to win real money for your ideas.
If you’re a high school student who enjoys solving problems, thinking creatively, or coming up with new ideas, entering an innovation competition can be a great next step. These contests are designed to help you turn your ideas into projects while developing skills like planning, teamwork, and pitching. Many of them focus on real-world challenges and are open to students from around the world. All the competitions listed here offer cash prizes.
Cash prizes can be a big motivator, especially if you are thinking about launching a startup, building a product, or saving for college. These rewards can give your idea an early push or help cover future costs. Beyond the money, these competitions also help you build your resume, strengthen your college applications, and gain early experience in innovation and entrepreneurship. Even if you do not win, participating shows initiative and can help you stand out in future opportunities.
To help you explore what is out there, here are the 9 best high school innovation competitions that all offer cash prizes!
9 High School Innovation Competitions with Cash Prizes
1. Regeneron Science Talent Search
Location: United States (regional qualifying fairs + national finals in Washington, D.C.)
Participation fee: Free
Cash prize: Top 300 get $2K; Top 40 get $25K; Top 10 win $40K to $250K.
Dates: Apply from June 1 to Nov 6; Top 300 in Jan; Top 40 later Jan; Finals in D.C. early March.
Application Deadline: November 6
Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors (last year of secondary school in the U.S. or its territories, including U.S. citizens abroad); independent, individual research required
Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) is a national science and math competition for high school seniors in the U.S. You can apply if you’ve completed an original research project in a STEM field like biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, or math. Your project should solve a real-world problem and include clear methods, analysis, and results. The program is run by the Society for Science and looks for students who think critically and work independently. If selected, you’ll join a group of top young researchers and be considered for scholarships, recognition, and the chance to present your work on a national stage.
2. National Economics Challenge
Location: United States (state-level rounds, semi-finals online, National Finals in Atlanta, GA)
Participation fee: Free (state and national levels)
Cash prize: 1st place: $1,000 per student + $1,000 coach award, 2nd place: $500 per student + $500 coach award, 3rd place: $250 per student + $250 coach award, 4th place: $200 per student + $200 coach award
Dates: April - May
Application Deadline: Varies by state; national registration typically closes in early April
Eligibility: U.S. high school students in grades 9–12, divided into beginner (David Ricardo) and advanced (Adam Smith) divisions.
The National Economics Challenge (NEC) is a leading academic competition for U.S. high school students with an interest in economics. Hosted by the Council for Economic Education, it challenges teams to apply their knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics, international trade, and current events in a series of competitive rounds. You'll compete in either the David Ricardo Division (if you're new to econ) or the Adam Smith Division (if you’re taking AP, IB, or advanced courses). State and national rounds happen online, and top teams make it to the in-person finals.
3. Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition
Location: Online
Participation fee: Free
Cash prize: Up to $1,000
Dates: January – March
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school students worldwide
The Blue Ocean High School Entrepreneur Pitch Competition is a global contest where you can join solo or with a team of up to five. You will come up with an original product or service that solves a problem in a special way. You will follow the Blue Ocean strategy, which means finding new and untapped spaces. You will create a pitch video to explain your idea, and you do not need to build a prototype. Judges include entrepreneurs and business school professors.
4. National Personal Finance Challenge
Location: United States (state-level rounds online; National Finals in Atlanta, GA)
Participation fee: Free
Cash prize: 1st place: $2,000 per team member + $2,000 for coach, 2nd place: $1,000 per team member + coach award, 3rd place: $500 per team member + coach award, 4th place: $250 per team member + coach award
Dates: June
Application Deadline: Varies by state (state finals held before early May)
Eligibility: Teams of 3–4 high school students (grades 9–12), sponsored by a teacher or adult coach; homeschoolers may join via community group.
The National Personal Finance Challenge (NPFC) helps you boost your financial smarts and practical money skills. You join as part of a team of 3 to 4 high school students and explore topics like budgeting, credit, saving, investing, and planning for your financial future. The competition starts with an online state-level quiz, and the best teams earn a spot at the National Finals in Atlanta.
At the finals, you’ll present a detailed personal financial plan to expert judges, showcasing how well you understand managing money wisely. Beyond cash prizes, NPFC prepares you for real-world financial decisions, building the confidence you need for lifelong money management.
5. Pirates Pitch Competition
Location: Jubilee Hall, South Orange campus (Seton Hall University, NJ)
Participation fee: Free
Cash prize: 1st wins $2,500 + $10K scholarship; others get a $4K scholarship to Seton Hall.
Dates: Application opens in late August – finals held in November
Application Deadline: Late October
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
The Pirates Pitch Competition for High School Students is a national contest run by Seton Hall University for students interested in entrepreneurship. You can enter by submitting a 350-word business idea or a 3-minute pitch video. Out of more than 200 applicants, 10 finalists are chosen to present live during Global Entrepreneurship Week.
The event follows a Shark Tank-style format with a pitch and a Q and A session with expert judges. Finalists get feedback, public speaking experience, and the chance to connect with an entrepreneurial network. Winners receive cash prizes and scholarships to Seton Hall.
6. NFTE World Series of Innovation – WSI Impact League Challenge
Location: Online
Participation fee: Free
Cash prize: $1,500+ per challenge
Dates: October – January
Application Deadline: December 8
Eligibility: Anyone who is 13 to 24 years old
The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship runs the World Series of Innovation, a global competition for high school students who want to use business skills to create social impact. You will choose from different challenges, like designing a game that teaches financial literacy or coming up with new solar energy ideas. All entries are submitted online and based on prompts from global brands. Winners get more than $1,000 in cash prizes, along with virtual celebrations and surprise rewards. The competition focuses on creative problem-solving and entrepreneurship.
7. The Paradigm Challenge
Location: Online
Participation fee: Free
Cash prize: Up to $100,000
Dates: May-August
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Anyone who is between 4 to 18 years old
The Paradigm Challenge is a free global competition for students aged 4 to 18. You can enter solo or in a team and submit creative solutions to real-world problems like home fires, waste, health, food security, or biodiversity. Submissions can be in any format, including videos, inventions, apps, or campaigns. There are three age groups, and winners in each group can earn up to $100,000. Finalists get $200, and teachers linked to top projects can receive up to $5,000. Winners are invited to a four-day award event in Los Angeles. You keep full ownership of your idea, and Project Paradigm may help you develop it further.
8. Big Idea Competition
Location: Online (in-state and out-of-state tracks) + Finals in Aberdeen, SD
Participation fee: Free
Cash prize: $60,000+ total in cash and scholarships
Dates: Launch in September – Finals in December
Application Deadline: October 24 (account creation); idea submissions due October 31
Eligibility: U.S. high school students with teams of up to 3 members. Individuals are also allowed.
The BIG Idea Competition is a national contest open to high school students across the U.S. You will submit a 1,075-word business proposal and can also include a short elevator pitch video. The competition looks for original business ideas that solve real-world problems. Around 10 to 15 finalists are selected to present their ideas either virtually or in person. Throughout the process, you get feedback from business advisors and support from mentors.
9. Project Echo National Teen Entrepreneurs' Business Plan Competition
Location: Virtual and in-person at California State University
Participation Fee: Free (as part of the program)
Cash Prize: More than $7,500 in cash start-up funds (which can be applied toward college)
Dates: May 4
Application Deadline: Typically in January for the program starting in January
Eligibility: You should be under the age of 19 and currently enrolled in high school
Project ECHO is a hands-on entrepreneurship program for middle and high school students. You can join through school-based business clubs, summer programs, or by competing in their Teen Entrepreneurs’ Business Plan Competition. You’ll work in a team, build a real business idea, and pitch it to judges for cash awards and scholarships. The program gives you access to mentors, a business curriculum, and project-based learning. You’ll practice leadership, communication, finance, and teamwork skills.
One more option - Young Founders Lab
If you’re looking for an incubator program that helps you build a startup in high school, consider the Young Founders Lab!
The Young Founders Lab is a start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X.
You can access the application link here!