Championship guide · Business · Preliminary round online

Harvard Crimson Business Competition

A business competition run by The Harvard Crimson’s programmes team. Students enter an online preliminary round, and qualifying students are invited to the Global Championship Round in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Book a free Readiness AssessmentOfficial competition site
  • Online preliminary round
  • Championship round at Harvard
  • 2027 dates not yet announced

“The Harvard Crimson: Business Board” from The Harvard Crimson’s YouTube channel.

About the championship

What students actually do

The competition has two stages: a Preliminary Round and the Global Championship Round, hosted in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at Harvard University. The Harvard Crimson runs it alongside ASEEDER, a UK charity and awarding body.

The 2026 competition has concluded and the organiser has not yet published 2027 dates. The 2026 timeline below is a useful guide to how the year usually runs.

Key facts

The competition at a glance

The 2026 competition has concluded. 2027 dates are not yet published.

OrganiserThe Harvard Crimson, hosted alongside ASEEDER
FormatPreliminary Round, then the Global Championship Round at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA
Fees$50 per preliminary submission; $300 per person for the championship round
2026 timeline, for referencePreliminary registration opened in December and closed on 1 June; the Global Championship was held at Harvard on 25–28 June 2026
2027 datesNot yet announced by the organiser
Eligibility and team rulesSet out in the organiser’s guidelines; check them before entering

Sources: The Harvard Crimson. Checked 30 October 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.

Case frameworks

How to break a business problem into parts and decide what really matters.

Analysis with numbers

Market sizing, unit economics and simple financial reasoning.

Slides that persuade

One message per slide, with evidence and a clear recommendation.

Team presentation

Clear roles, timed run-throughs and practice with judges’ questions.

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.

Book a free assessment

Questions

What parents ask

Is this a Harvard University competition?
It is run by The Harvard Crimson, Harvard’s student newspaper, with ASEEDER. The championship round is hosted at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
What does it cost?
For 2026 the organiser listed $50 per preliminary submission and $300 per person for the championship round.
When are the 2027 dates?
Not yet announced. In 2026, preliminary registration opened in December and the championship was held in late June.
Is IFA connected to the organisers?
No. IFA is an independent academy. We help students prepare, but we have no affiliation with Harvard University, The Harvard Crimson or ASEEDER.

International Finance Academy is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Harvard University, The Harvard Crimson or ASEEDER. Competition names are used only to describe the events we help students prepare for.

All championship guides2026–27 deadlines