Championship guide · Innovation · Ages 13–24
NFTE World Series of Innovation
A free online innovation challenge from the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). Young people choose a sponsored challenge linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and submit an original solution.
- Free and fully online
- Individuals or teams
- Deadline 13 December 2026
At a glance
- Free, online, worldwide
- Choose one sponsored challenge
- Solutions linked to the UN Global Goals
- Submissions in several languages
About the championship
What students actually do
Students aged 13 to 24 enter the Impact League and pick one challenge. For 2026–27 these cover areas such as health and well-being, money skills, food-truck business ideas and responsible AI. Each challenge is backed by a sponsor.
Submissions are accepted in several languages, including English, Hindi, Arabic, Spanish and Simplified Chinese. It is a good, low-pressure first competition for a student who has never entered one.
Key facts
The 2026–27 competition at a glance
Challenges launched on 9 September 2026. Submissions close on 13 December 2026.
Sources: NFTE World Series of Innovation, NFTE announcement. 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
Is it really free?
Which challenge should my child pick?
Is there still time for 2026–27?
Is IFA connected to the organisers?
International Finance Academy is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) or any challenge sponsor. Competition names are used only to describe the events we help students prepare for.