2026–27 season · Last checked 28 October 2026
Student business competition calendar 2026–27
The key deadlines for the international business and finance competitions IFA prepares students for, taken from each organiser's official site. Dates can change, so always confirm on the official page before you plan around them.
Dates confirmed by the organisers
December 2026
4 December 2026
Wharton Global High School Investment Competition
Final report and school documentation due for teams already registered. Registration for 2026–27 closed on 11 September 2026. The Global Finale is on 29–30 April 2027 at the Wharton School, Philadelphia.
December 2026
Genius Olympiad
Applications open. The application deadline is 1 March 2027 (see below).
January 2027
14 January 2027, 5 PM US Eastern
Diamond Challenge: submission deadline
Written concept and introductory video due. Advancing teams are notified on 10 February 2027, finalists on 9 March 2027, and the Limitless World Summit runs on 29–30 April 2027.
February 2027
21 February 2027
Blue Ocean Competition: pitch deadline
Last day to submit your pitch.
March 2027
1 March 2027, 9 AM US Eastern
Genius Olympiad: application deadline
Project applications close. Participant registration closes on 5 May 2027, and the finals run on 7–12 June 2027 in Rochester, New York.
April 2027
29–30 April 2027
Diamond Challenge Limitless World Summit and Wharton Global Finale
Both finals take place on the same two days: the Diamond Challenge at the University of Delaware and the Wharton investment competition in Philadelphia.
June 2027
7–12 June 2027
Genius Olympiad finals
Hosted at St. John Fisher University, Rochester, New York.
Dates not yet announced for 2027
These organisers have not published their 2027 dates yet. We add them here as soon as they do.
- Harvard Crimson Business Competition. The 2026 edition opened preliminary registration in December, with submissions due on 1 June and the championship at Harvard on 25–28 June. Official site · IFA guide
- Harvard Crimson Global Case Competition. Listed as coming soon. Official site · IFA guide
- TiE Young Entrepreneurs (TYE). A programme from September to April for grades 9–12, ending in a competition in June; dates vary by local TiE chapter. TiE Singapore · IFA guide
- SAGE World Cup. Vietnam is the 2026 host; registration opens in June. Official site · IFA guide
- Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (GYEC). Online, for high school students aged 14–18 in teams of 3–8. The 2026 final round was on 20 June. Official rules · IFA guide
The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) is open to university students who already run a business, so it is not listed here for school students. Official site
Not sure which competition fits your child?
In a free 30-minute Readiness Assessment, one of our founders meets your child and you, and recommends the right competition and timeline, even if that is not an IFA programme.
IFA is an independent academy. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any competition organiser, Harvard University, The Harvard Crimson, Crimson Education, the Wharton School or the University of Delaware.