8 Tips to Help You Win the Blue Ocean Competition as a Teen
Entrepreneurship competitions let you learn by doing: you’ll spot opportunities, test ideas fast, and pitch under real-time pressure. They’re also a great way to build a standout spike on your profile while working on a business idea you actually care about.
The Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition takes that value global. It’s a fully virtual pitch contest where high schoolers create “blue ocean” ventures: ideas that open new market space instead of fighting old battles. This year, Blue Ocean reached 12,784 participants from 163 countries and territories and 6,000+ schools, reinforcing its status as the world’s largest virtual entrepreneurship competition for teens. You’ll get a short online course on Blue Ocean Strategy, access to tools like the Strategy Canvas and the ERRC grid, and the chance to compete for cash prizes without an entry fee.
If you are curious about other entrepreneurship competitions you could participate in, go here.
What is the Blue Ocean Competition?
The Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition is the world’s largest virtual entrepreneurship competition for high school students. Founded in Maryland in 2014, the competition is inspired by the book Blue Ocean Strategy. It teaches innovators to create entirely new market spaces (“blue oceans”) instead of competing in crowded ones.
Each year, thousands of students pitch their original business ideas to experienced entrepreneurs, educators, and executives. You can compete individually or in a team of up to five. You’ll identify a global problem or untapped opportunity and present a business solution that balances innovation and affordability.
Unlike most pitch competitions, Blue Ocean gives you free access to structured business tools like the Strategy Canvas and Eliminate-Reduce-Raise-Create (ERRC) grid, along with templates to help you design your five-minute video pitch. You’ll receive professional feedback, learn real entrepreneurial strategy, and compete for cash prizes, all without having to start a startup or pay an entry fee.
What are the rules of the Challenge?
The Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition follows a clear and structured set of rules to ensure a fair and engaging experience for all participants. Here’s what you need to know before registering:
Eligibility: Must be 14–18 years old (high school age at the time of registration).
Team formation: You may compete individually or in a team of up to five students. Teams can include students from the same or different high schools.
Registration: Every participant, whether solo or on a team, must complete the online registration form to be officially entered into the competition.
Blue Ocean Mini-Course: Before submitting your pitch, you’re required to complete the online Blue Ocean Mini-Course, which introduces the competition’s strategy tools and frameworks.
Pitch format: Submissions must be a video pitch under five minutes and no larger than 1 GB. You’ll need to upload your video to YouTube with the hashtag #blueoceancompetition and submit the video link through the official form.
Deadline: February 22
Evaluation process: Each pitch is evaluated based on value innovation (20%), market potential (20%), commercial viability & scalability (20%), technical feasibility (20%), and quality of presentation & use of Blue Ocean tools (20%). Judges first select the Top 100 pitches, then narrow them to the Top 25, Top 10, and finally choose the winners. Each round typically lasts one to two weeks. The People’s Choice Award is determined by a mix of YouTube likes, comments, and judges’ votes from among the Top 100 entries.
You must ensure that your pitches follow all laws, avoid trademark or copyright violations, and maintain respectful conduct toward other teams. Any infringement or rule violation may result in disqualification. These guidelines are designed to help you showcase your entrepreneurial creativity while applying real business frameworks to craft a compelling and scalable idea.
What are the prizes of the contest?
The Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition offers high school students the chance to earn global recognition, cash prizes, and professional visibility.
Cash prizes typically include $1,000 for first place, $750 for second, $500 for third, and a People’s Choice Award determined by YouTube engagement. Outstanding entries in specific fields, like healthcare, social impact, and sustainability, often receive additional category-based recognition. Teachers and schools are also celebrated, with awards such as Blue Ocean Teacher Champion and Top 5 Schools with the Most Submissions.
Beyond monetary rewards, finalists gain access to a global network of young entrepreneurs, feedback from industry professionals, and international exposure through the official Blue Ocean YouTube channel. Many past winners, like UniversO (2022, for developing a process to convert any blood type to Type O) and Kelpnet (2021, for biodegradable fishing nets), have gone on to present their innovations at conferences and university events.
Whether you win or simply reach the Top 100, your pitch remains part of the Blue Ocean legacy, showcasing your ability to identify problems, build scalable solutions, and think creatively under practical conditions.
Who is eligible to participate?
The Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition is open to all high school students aged 14–18 from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, an innovator, or simply curious about business strategy, you’re welcome to compete.
You can participate individually or as part of a team of up to five students. Teams may include students from the same high school or from different schools, as long as all members are within the eligible age range. Each participant must register separately on the competition website to be officially entered.
To qualify, you’ll also need to complete the free Blue Ocean Mini-Course before submitting your pitch. This short, self-paced course introduces you to essential tools like the Strategy Canvas and Eliminate–Reduce–Raise–Create (ERRC) Grid, which are mandatory elements of your submission. The only technical requirements are reliable internet access and the ability to upload your final pitch video to YouTube.
How much does participating in the Blue Ocean Competition cost?
One of the best parts of the Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition is that it’s completely free to enter. There are no registration or submission fees, making it one of the most accessible global entrepreneurship competitions for high school students.
You don’t need to pay to take part in the Blue Ocean Mini-Course, use the provided pitch templates, or submit your video entry. The entire process, from registration to final pitch submission, is hosted online, so you can compete without worrying about travel or event costs.
Your only potential expenses are optional items, such as video editing software, props for your pitch, or equipment upgrades (like a microphone or camera). However, many winning teams have successfully created professional pitches using just a smartphone and creativity.
Is the Blue Ocean Competition prestigious?
The Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious global entrepreneurship competitions for high school students. What began as a small state-level contest in Maryland in 2014 has grown into the largest virtual entrepreneurship event for teens in the world, reaching over 12,700 participants from 163 countries and 6,000 schools in 2025.
The competition is inspired by Blue Ocean Strategy and has been shortlisted for the Thinkers50 Ideas Into Practice Award, which honors organizations that translate groundbreaking management ideas into real-world impact. This recognition places the competition among globally respected innovation programs.
Blue Ocean’s prestige also comes from its rigorous evaluation process and high visibility. Every pitch is reviewed by experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and business executives. The top 100 submissions are featured publicly on the official Blue Ocean YouTube channel, and finalists often go on to present their ideas at school, community, and university events.
Many past winners, such as CapSure (Australia, 2025 global winner) and Maji (USA, 2025 second place), have earned media recognition and continued developing their projects beyond the competition. In addition, over 139 of the U.S. News & World Report’s Top 250 STEM high schools have participated, further underscoring the competition’s credibility and reach.
Who is the Blue Ocean Competition right for?
The Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition is perfect for high school students who want hands-on experience in entrepreneurship and an opportunity to compete on a global stage. If you’re someone who enjoys brainstorming creative ideas, solving practical problems, or collaborating with peers, this challenge gives you the chance to put those skills into action.
What skills does the Blue Ocean Competition test?
The Blue Ocean Competition helps you strengthen a wide range of entrepreneurial and academic skills. You’ll develop analytical thinking, teamwork, creativity, critical problem-solving, and communication skills, while also learning to apply business frameworks like the Strategy Canvas and Eliminate–Reduce–Raise–Create Grid. The competition pushes you to think strategically under time constraints, present ideas clearly, and create innovative solutions that balance impact with real-world feasibility.
8 Tips to Win the Blue Ocean Competition
Winning the Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition requires more than just a great idea; it’s about strategic thinking, clear communication, and effective teamwork. Here are eight actionable tips to help you craft a strong, standout pitch:
1. Master the Blue Ocean tools early
Before you even start brainstorming, complete the Blue Ocean Mini-Course and practice using tools like the Strategy Canvas and ERRC Grid. These are central to your pitch, showing that you understand and can apply the competition’s unique methodology, which will instantly impress judges.
2. Focus on value innovation
Your business idea should combine differentiation and low cost, creating a completely new market space rather than competing in an existing one. Use your research and Blue Ocean frameworks to explain how your concept achieves both; this balance is key to scoring high.
3. Build a strong, diverse team
If you’re competing in a group, choose teammates with complementary strengths, one who’s great at research, another at design or editing, and one comfortable presenting. A team that balances creativity, organization, and technical skills can execute faster and more effectively.
4. Run your presentation by a teacher or mentor
Once your script and video draft are ready, ask a teacher, advisor, or mentor to review them. They can spot gaps in logic, clarity, or delivery that you might miss, helping you tighten your narrative and boost overall presentation quality.
5. Keep your video concise and clear
Your pitch must be under five minutes, so make every second count. Use a logical structure: problem, solution, market, and strategy, supported by clean visuals and confident narration. Judges value clarity over flashy effects.
6. Back up your idea with evidence
Use facts, surveys, or real examples to demonstrate feasibility and market potential. Even short research snippets or quotes from credible sources help validate your idea and make it more convincing to the judging panel.
7. Gain entrepreneurial experience via a startup incubator
After (or before) Blue Ocean, take your learning further by joining a startup incubator like the Young Founders Lab (YFL). Founded by Harvard entrepreneurs, YFL allows you to build your own revenue-generating startups with mentorship from professionals at Google, Microsoft, and X. This hands-on experience strengthens your entrepreneurial skill set and could make your next competition pitch even stronger.
8. Learn from past winners
Study previous winning pitches on the Blue Ocean YouTube channel. Analyze how they structured their videos, used storytelling, and incorporated Blue Ocean tools. Seeing what worked before will help you refine your approach and avoid common pitfalls.
Image Source - Blue Ocean Competition