15 Business Plan Competitions with Internships for Teens
If you’re a teen interested in business or entrepreneurship, joining a business plan competition can enhance your analytical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
What are business plan competitions?
Business plan competitions take you beyond business theory, helping you understand how to find a problem, design a solution, and turn it into a working business plan. These competitions also include mentorship and internship opportunities. You can work with professionals, receive feedback, and see how startups and companies operate day-to-day. You’ll present your ideas to judges, refine your pitch, and learn how to handle questions about your plan, skills that are useful in both college and future careers.
Why should I participate in business plan competitions for teens?
Taking part in one of these competitions can also make your college applications stronger and help you refine your entrepreneurship skills. It shows that you’ve taken initiative, developed leadership and teamwork skills, and worked on a project that connects directly to your academic interests. Some competitions even offer scholarships or funding to help you take your venture/idea further.
Here are 15 business plan competitions with internships for teens that are worth checking out!
If you want to check out online business competitions for teens, go here.
Disclaimer: Not all the items on this list are competitions. Some of them are business programs that can help you prepare for competitions and build your business skills.
15 Business Plan Competitions with Internships for Teens
1. Blue Ocean Competition
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: No fixed cohort size; 12,784 students participated this year
Dates: April 6 – May 13
Registration Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18 at the time of registration
The Blue Ocean Competition allows high school students to pitch original business ideas that solve real problems or explore new opportunities. To participate, you’ll complete a short online Mini-Course, then submit a 5-minute YouTube video in English explaining your idea, its purpose, target audience, and what makes it unique. You can work alone or with up to three teammates and use Blue Ocean tools like the ERRC Grid and Strategy Canvas to shape your pitch. Submissions are reviewed in stages, narrowing from the top 100 videos to 30, then 10, before winners are announced. Prizes range from $500 to $1,000, and top participants might get internship opportunities through the competition’s partners. Even if you don’t win, you’ll gain hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, learn how to pitch effectively, and get feedback from experienced entrepreneurs and executives.
2. The Conrad Challenge
Location: Virtual; the final round is held in person at Space Center Houston, Houston, TX
Cost: The Activation Stage is free, but there’s a $499 fee to take part in both the Innovation Stage and the Innovation Summit
Cohort Size: No fixed cohort size; 4,480 students participated last year
Dates: August 28 – October 30 (Activation Stage) | October 31 – January 8 (Innovation Stage) | April 22 – April 25 (Innovation Summit)
Registration Deadline: October 30
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18
The Conrad Challenge is a global competition where high school students work in teams of two to five to solve real-world problems in fields like health, cyber technology, aerospace, and energy through technology, science, and creativity. It begins with the Activation Stage, where you and your coach will register your team, choose a category, brainstorm ideas, and develop a Lean Canvas plan. In the Innovation Stage, you’ll submit a short brief, a 3–5 minute video, and a website showcasing your solution. Finalists will get to attend the Innovation Summit at Space Center Houston, where they’ll pitch their ideas live, join workshops and tours, and compete for scholarships and the Pete Conrad Scholar title. Prizes include international trips, scholarships, and chances to network with industry professionals.
3. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual, with live workshops
Cost: Varies depending on the program; need-based financial aid is available
Cohort Size: 6–12 students (group program)
Dates: Varies based on the cohort
Application Deadline: Varies based on the cohort; you can access the application link here!
Eligibility: All high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a startup incubator founded by Harvard and Stanford alumni for high school students who want to build their own business or nonprofit. You’ll team up to create a startup that tackles a real-world problem with guidance from experienced mentors. Along the way, you’ll learn how to develop your idea, research your market, plan your business, build a prototype, and get ready to launch. The program wraps up with a Demo Day, where you’ll get to pitch your project to potential investors. You can join a 45-hour online summer group program or a 12-week individual program during the school year, which includes 12 hours of one-on-one coaching. For more details, you can check out the program brochure.
4. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program; financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: About 19%, though the exact percentage varies by internship and cohort
Dates: Programs run year-round in 8–12 week sessions during spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, or gap year students who can work 10–20 hours a week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a remote program that matches high school students with nonprofits and startups worldwide. Many of these organizations are supported by Y Combinator or run by professionals with experience at companies like Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey. Created by Harvard graduates, the program offers internships in various fields, including nonprofits, finance, consulting, health tech, mental health, software engineering, AI, environmental science, and journalism. As an intern, you’ll work on real projects for your host organization and share your results at the end of the program. If you’re interested, you can review the application form in advance to see which internships are currently available.
5. Project ECHO – Teen Entrepreneurs’ Business Plan Competition
Location: Virtually or in person at California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, CA; the summer internship is conducted virtually
Cost: Free; students who participate in the summer internship will be paid
Cohort Size: Last year, over 200 students from 35 high schools formed 52 business teams to participate in the competition; the summer internship is limited to just 15 spots per cohort
Dates: The annual competition takes place on May 31; the summer micro-internship runs in three cohorts: May 27–June 10, June 17–July 1, and July 8–22
Registration Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: To join Project ECHO’s Business Plan Competition, schools can register their business or entrepreneurship class or club through the Launching ECHO program. Individual high school students under 19 can also register their business team independently. Students 16 and older can apply for the summer internship
Project ECHO’s High School Entrepreneurs’ Business Plan Competition lets you pitch your startup idea to investors. After signing up, you’ll attend an info session to understand how to prepare. On competition day, you and your team present your business plan to judges who review both your proposal and presentation. Prizes go to the top three teams in Products, Services, and Social Enterprise categories, with $1,000 for first place, $500 for second, and $250 for third. The overall winner gets $2,000.
You can also take Launching ECHO, a U.C.-approved semester course where you build a business idea, create a full pitch, and enter the competition. The course helps you develop teamwork, problem-solving, and presentation skills, while receiving mentorship and networking support. Project ECHO also offers a paid 15-hour summer micro-internship for students 16 and older with the Fox Family Foundation, a nonprofit focused on education and workforce development.
6. Technovation Girls Competition
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: No fixed cohort size; last year, about 11,000 girls participated in the competition
Dates: The season starts on August 13, with final projects due April 20; the judging takes place from April 23 to May 18 (Round 1) and May 27 to June 10 (Round 2)
Registration Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: Girls aged 8–18
Technovation Girls is a global competition for girls aged 8–18 to use coding and AI to solve problems they care about. Teams of 1–5 can join through a local Chapter or Club, or participate online. Divisions are based on the oldest team member: Beginner (8–12), Junior (13–15), and Senior (16–18). You’ll work on a project that includes a pitch video, a business plan, and a technical video showing how your app works, its use of AI, and the feedback you collected. You can use beginner-friendly tools like Scratch, MIT App Inventor, or Thunkable, or code in Python, Java, or Swift. You’ll also learn about launching a startup, marketing, using AI responsibly, research, and pitching. Each team will get an adult volunteer mentor to guide them through building the app or AI prototype. Mentors help with planning, problem-solving, and staying on track.
7. Montana Chamber Foundation's Prospects High School Business Competition
Location: Virtual; the final pitch competition is held in person at MSU Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship in Bozeman, MT
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: No fixed cohort size; students can participate either individually or as part of a team
Dates: Submissions open November 3 and close January 16 for Semester 1 and March 13 for Semester 2; the Virtual Awards Ceremony is on April 23, and the in-person pitch competition on May 17–18
Registration Deadline: September 5; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Montana high school students can apply, whether they attend public, private, or religious schools, are homeschooled, or are pursuing a HiSET diploma
The Montana Chamber Foundation’s Prospects High School Business Competition is a virtual statewide contest for Montana students interested in entrepreneurship. You’ll work with business leaders, receive mentorship, and create products, services, or community-based solutions. There are two tracks: the New Business Idea track for students with new product or service ideas, and the Existing Business track for those already running small ventures to earn money or support local causes. To apply, you’ll submit a 2-minute pitch video and a 1,000-word business summary using the given template. Judges review both equally and share feedback, with some offering internships or job opportunities. Grand Champions in each category win $5,000, and second-place winners get $2,500.
8. The Big Idea Competition
Location: Virtual; the final competition can be attended either online or in person at the Johnson Fine Arts Center, Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: Over 300 participants
Dates: Final business idea submissions are due by October 31; the online final will be held on December 9 via Zoom, and the in-person final on December 10
Registration Deadline: Students must create an account by October 24, and all completed entries must be submitted by October 31
Eligibility: High school students who are currently enrolled in a public or private school, or are homeschooled
The Big Idea Competition is a business pitch contest for high school students, where you can participate solo or in a team of up to three. To participate, you must submit a written report explaining your idea, target market, competitors, and management plan, along with a 30–60 second video pitch. Eight finalists will be selected to deliver a 6-minute live pitch to a panel of judges. Each finalist team will be paired with a mentor to fine-tune its business plan. The awards will be presented on the same day as the final pitches. South Dakota students can compete for special $500 cash prizes and $500 Northern State University scholarships in categories like hometown business, agriculture innovation, and manufacturing. All participants are eligible for the wellness category prize and scholarship.
9. NFTE World Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (WYEC)
Location: NFTE, New York, NY; the final round of the competition takes place at the United Nations Plaza in New York, NY
Cost: $1,000 fee per student business
Cohort Size: No fixed cohort size; last year, 26 finalists (11 student businesses) from 10 countries participated in the competition
Dates: November 17 – November 20
Registration Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 15–22 from NFTE’s international partner network, as well as winners of the U.S. National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge
The WYEC is a three-day global event for student entrepreneurs aged 15–22 from NFTE’s international network and the U.S. National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge. You’ll attend workshops and leadership sessions led by business experts, focusing on entrepreneurial thinking, global perspectives, and connecting with peers. You’ll also work one-on-one with an experienced coach to polish your pitch, improve your business strategy, and prepare for the final competition. On the last day, finalists present their ventures to a panel of distinguished judges during the pitch competition. While WYEC doesn’t guarantee internships, the mentorship and networking with entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and industry leaders can open doors to future opportunities.
10. SAGE Global Teen Entrepreneur Program
Location: Virtual (SAGE USA); the SAGE World Cup is held in person at different locations each year
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: Varies depending on the specific event
Dates: SAGE USA: May 2 – May 16; winners will be announced on May 23; SAGE World Cup: September 11 – September 15
Registration Deadline: For SAGE USA, the registration deadline is May 2; the top two teams from this round represent the U.S. at the SAGE World Cup, which does not have a separate registration deadline
Eligibility: Students aged 13–19
SAGE helps teen entrepreneurs turn their ideas into real businesses with guidance from teachers and mentors. At the SAGE USA National Competition, you and your team will present your business with a 13-minute live video presentation and 7-minute Q&A, along with a 4-page annual report on your work, impact, and achievements. Judges focus on decision-making, impact, and business potential. The top two teams move on to the SAGE World Cup.
The SAGE World Cup will put your business on an international stage, allowing you to connect with industry leaders and teen entrepreneurs from around the world. Business leaders, educators, and university students will mentor you on business development, presentation skills, and competition prep. Winners receive prize money and a trophy recognizing them as top teen entrepreneurs. SAGE doesn’t officially offer internships, but it connects you with industry experts and mentors, which could lead to internship opportunities. Winners also get prizes and resources to help grow their entrepreneurial skills.
11. Annual Marion County Youth Business Plan Competition
Location: Power Plant Business Incubator, Ocala, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: April 3
Registration Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: Marion County high school students
The Annual Marion County Youth Business Plan Competition allows high school students to develop and present full business plans while building real-world skills. You’ll team up with experienced mentors and industry professionals to improve your business plan. You’ll also connect with peers, leaders, and community supporters who can help you grow. You’ll get to sharpen skills like problem-solving, public speaking, and business strategy. Through workshops and presentations, you’ll learn to turn ideas into actionable plans, build a solid business plan with market research and financial projections, and come up with innovative solutions. You’ll also develop strategic thinking skills and gain confidence in pitching your ideas to potential investors. The top three teams will win over $7,000 in cash prizes.
12. University of Delaware’s Diamond Challenge
Location: The pitching rounds take place both virtually and in person at the University of Delaware in Newark, DE; at least one member from each finalist team must attend the final presentation in person at the Limitless World Summit at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, DE
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: Last year, 2,652 students participated in the competition
Dates: Students must submit their concept by January 15; the Pitching Round begins on February 10, finalists are announced on March 9, and the Limitless World Summit is held April 23–24
Registration Deadline: September 17 – January 15
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18 by the submission deadline
The Diamond Challenge, run by the University of Delaware, allows high school students to create and pitch their own startup ideas. Teams must have 2–4 students and one adult advisor (21+). You can choose between Business Innovation (money-making ideas) or Social Innovation (solutions to social or environmental problems). The first round requires a 3–5 page concept narrative, a pitch deck, and a 60-second introduction video. Teams that advance will then submit a 5-minute pitch with up to 15 slides.
Finalists will present in person at the Limitless World Summit, where at least one team member must attend. You’ll get mentor feedback, meet other student entrepreneurs, and compete for cash prizes: $12,000, $8,000, and $4,500 for the top three in each track. You’ll benefit from guidance by 2,000+ mentors, speakers, judges, and workshop leaders. While internships aren’t part of the program, top teams receive funding to develop their venture or support higher education. You’ll also get to expand your network, receive feedback, and explore future collaborations.
13. Tim Draper High School Utah Entrepreneur Challenge (HSUEC)
Location: Virtual; the final event and awards ceremony will take place at the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: No fixed cohort size; while teams can have any number of members, they’re limited to a maximum of five students
Dates: Online judging runs from January 19–30, with the top 20 finalists announced on February 20. Finalists must submit their videos by February 9, and public voting takes place from February 10–27. The final event will be held on February 28
Registration Deadline: September 10 – January 14
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18 can apply, with Utah students especially encouraged to participate
The Tim Draper High School Utah Entrepreneur Challenge (HSUEC), run by the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah, helps students develop business ideas and compete for $30,000 in cash and scholarships. Teams of up to five students create a business proposal that identifies a problem, proposes a solution, defines a target audience, and includes a prototype, such as an app, website, product model, or sketch. You’ll also write a 200-word summary describing your idea and a seven-word pitch. After the first round of online judging, the top 20 finalists will be announced and invited to present at the final event, where they’ll give a five-minute pitch and answer questions from judges. Finalists will also submit a one-minute video explaining their idea. HSUEC doesn’t guarantee internships for winners, but it helps them connect with industry professionals, which could lead to internships.
14. Seton Hall University’s Pirates Pitch Competition for High School Students
Location: Virtual or in person at Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: November 21
Registration Deadline: August 25 – October 22
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
Seton Hall University’s Pirates Pitch Competition invites high school students to share their entrepreneurial ideas. You’ll submit a 350-word description of an original business or a venture you’ve already started, and you can also include an optional three-minute unlisted YouTube pitch video. Your submission should cover what problem your idea solves, how you’ll make money, who your customers are, and how you’ll stand out from competitors. Ten finalists will be chosen to pitch their ideas in person to a panel of judges from Seton Hall University. Each finalist will give a five-minute presentation, followed by immediate awards.
The first-place winner will earn $2,500 plus a $10,000 Seton Hall scholarship. All other finalists get a $4,000 scholarship, and the audience’s favorite earns a $300 Audience Choice Award. The competition doesn’t guarantee internships, but it provides chances to network with industry professionals, which could lead to future opportunities. Finalists and winners also receive mentorship and scholarships to support their entrepreneurial goals, as well as get to connect with successful alumni, business leaders, and faculty.
15. Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition (CEC)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: This year, 61 students submitted their entries for the voting phase
Dates: May 12 – August 12
Registration Deadline: May 12
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above
The Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition (CEC) invites students to pitch a new business or grow an existing one that supports one of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. You’ll first submit your idea and a short pitch. If accepted, you’ll complete two online courses (Brains versus Capital and Sustainable Entrepreneurship) and use the Entrepreneurial Design Canvas (EDC) to develop your project. Once submitted, your idea will go live for public voting. The ten entries with the most votes will move to the finals, where a jury will review them for innovation, impact, feasibility, and sustainability. Winners will be announced at an online ceremony. CEC offers mentorship and learning resources, but doesn’t include formal internships.
Image Source - Blue Ocean Competition logo