Championship guide · Social enterprise · Age 13+
Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition
A free, online, international competition from Stiftung Entrepreneurship in Berlin for ideas that make the world better. Entrants from age 13 submit an idea, develop it with free online courses, and compete in a public vote and a jury round.
- Free and fully online
- Open from age 13
- Public vote, then an expert jury
At a glance
- Ideas that make the world better
- Free online courses included
- Public vote, then an expert jury
- Open from age 13
About the championship
What students actually do
The competition runs in three phases. First, entrants submit their idea, take the free courses and complete an Entrepreneurial Design Canvas. Next, ideas are published for public voting. Finally, an expert jury reviews the ten ideas with the most votes.
Because it is free and online, it suits a student with a clear social or environmental idea who wants to practise explaining it and rallying support.
Key facts
The competition at a glance
The 2026 competition ran from 2 March to 5 June 2026. 2027 dates are not yet published.
Sources: Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition. Checked 6 November 2026. Always confirm dates and rules on the official site.
Preparation with IFA
How we help students get ready
Live coaching from finance professionals who have been there and done it, built around what this competition rewards.
A real problem
Finding a problem worth solving and the people who have it, with evidence rather than guesses.
The business model
Customers, pricing, costs and simple projections that hold up to a judge’s questions.
The deck and the story
A clear structure, clean slides and a story judges remember.
Pitching and Q&A
Timed practice pitches and mock judging, with honest feedback after each run.
Not sure this is the right competition?
In a free 30-minute Readiness Assessment, a founder meets your child and you, and sends a written plan within 24 hours. If another competition, or none yet, is a better fit, we will say so.
Questions
What parents ask
Does my child need a running business?
Does winning depend on votes?
When is the next edition?
Is IFA connected to the organisers?
International Finance Academy is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Stiftung Entrepreneurship or the Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition. Competition names are used only to describe the events we help students prepare for.