Participating in business competitions can help high school students improve their resumes and demonstrate their talents and abilities to prospective universities or companies. Business competitions for high school students allow this group of students to hone and demonstrate their business talents, such as leadership, entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, and strategy.
Here are some of the business competitions for high school students we have picked out.
National Business Plan Competition
The National Business Plan Competition is an annual event that brings together high school students from around the United States to compete in developing and presenting their own business plans. It is held by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), a non-profit organization dedicated to educating young people from the low-income groups about entrepreneurship.
The competition is divided into multiple rounds, beginning at the local-level, and culminating in a national championship. Students must create a business plan for a new firm, which is then evaluated by a panel of business professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors. The plans are judged based on a number of factors, including the practicality of the company idea, the strength of the market analysis, and the accuracy of the financial predictions.
The competition is intended to give students hands-on experience in entrepreneurship and business planning while also encouraging creativity, innovation, and critical thinking. It also allows students to network with business executives and other young entrepreneurs, as well as to display their abilities and ideas to a larger audience.
Requirements to join the National Business Plan Competition
The competition is open to high school students who are enrolled in an NFTE class or program during the current academic year. They must present a written business plan paper that adheres to the NFTE’s criteria. They are required to produce a business plan for a new venture that they have created. A full explanation of the product or service, target market, marketing strategy, financial predictions, and management structure should all be included in the plan. The document should not exceed 25 pages in length and must be provided electronically in a particular format.
Students who are chosen as finalists must also prepare and present a business plan presentation at the national competition. The presentation should last no more than 10 minutes and include visual aids such as a slide deck or poster.
DECA International Career Development Conference
The DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) is an annual event hosted by DECA, a non-profit organization dedicated to preparing rising leaders and entrepreneurs for professions in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. The conference concludes DECA’s competition season, bringing together thousands of high school students from around the world to participate in several business and marketing contests.
Students compete in individual and team competitions at the conference that put their abilities and expertise in areas such as marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, hospitality, and management to the test. The activities are designed to imitate real-world business settings, requiring students to assess challenges, find solutions, and present their ideas to judges and other participants.
The ICDC also includes keynote speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities for students to learn about career options, build leadership abilities, and interact with other students and business people.
The conference lasts several days and conclude with an awards ceremony in which top-performing students and teams are acknowledged for their accomplishments. Overall, the DECA International Career Development Conference is a highly competitive and prestigious event that offers high school students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enhance their talents, get significant experience, and network with other young leaders and entrepreneurs from across the world.
Requirements to join the DECA International Career Development Conference
To qualify for the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC), high school students must first participate in their local DECA chapter and compete at the district and state/provincial level. The specific requirements for participation in the ICDC are as follows:
- Membership in DECA: Students must be active members of their local DECA chapter.
- District Competition: Students must compete in at least one of DECA’s competitive events and place in the top tier of their district competition.
- State/Provincial Competition: Students that place first in their district competition are entitled to compete at the state/provincial level. At this level, students must compete in at least one competitive event and place in the top tier.
- Conference Registration: Students who are eligible for the ICDC must register through their local DECA chapter. The registration fee includes the cost of hotel, meals, and conference materials.
- Competitive Events: At the ICDC, students compete in individual and team competitions at the ICDC that put their abilities and expertise in areas such as marketing, finance, hospitality, and management to the test. They must plan ahead of time for these events and be prepared to provide presentations, role-plays, or written reports, depending on the event.
Junior Achievement National Student Leadership Summit
The Junior Achievement (JA) National Student Leadership Summit (NSLS) is an annual event that brings together high school students from throughout the United States to participate in leadership training, networking opportunities, and a business competition. The JA Company of the Year Competition is the finale of the JA Company Program, which is a hands-on entrepreneurship education program offered by JA.
Aside from the JA Company of the Year Competition, the JA NSLS allows students to attend leadership and entrepreneurship workshops, hear from keynote speakers, and network with other high-achieving students and business professionals. The event aims to motivate and encourage youngsters to become future leaders and entrepreneurs.
Requirements to join the Junior Achievement National Student Leadership Summit
High school students must first enroll in the JA Company Program through their local JA chapter to be eligible for the Junior Achievement (JA) National Student Leadership Summit (NSLS). The following are the precise conditions for participation in the program and the JA NSLS:
- Students must engage in the JA Company Program, a hands-on entrepreneurship education program provided by JA. Students in this curriculum form their own businesses, design a product or service, write a business plan, and market their product or service in their local community.
- Company Performance: Students must display their entrepreneurial skills, business acumen, and leadership abilities in the JA Company Program. Each state’s top-performing enterprises are invited to compete in the JA Company of the Year Competition at the JA NSLS.
- Company of the Year Competition: To qualify for the JA NSLS, students must compete in and place in the top tier of their state’s JA Company of the Year Competition.
- Registration: Students that are eligible for the JA NSLS must register for the event through their local JA chapter. The registration fee includes the cost of hotel, meals, and conference materials.
Virtual Enterprises International
Virtual Enterprises International (VEI) is a non-profit educational company that offers high school students a simulated business experience. VEI is a global business simulation program that allows students to construct and run their own virtual firms in the classroom.
Students join teams and take on specialized positions inside their virtual businesses through VEI, such as CEO, CFO, marketing manager, and sales representative. They are in charge of strategic choices, financial management, marketing plans, and selling products or services to other VEI enterprises.
Requirements to join the Virtual Enterprises International
- Enrollment in a participating school: VEI is often given as a high school elective subject. Students must be enrolled in a VEI program-accredited school.
- Grade level: VEI is largely geared for high school students. Students in grades 9-12 are eligible for the program, though specific grade requirements may vary based on the school and program implementation.
- Registration: Students interested in participating in VEI must register for the program through their school’s established process. This could entail filling out an application or expressing interest to relevant school faculty or administration.
Future Business Leaders of America
The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is a student group that promotes leadership development and prepares students for professions in business and related fields. FBLA is one of the nation’s largest student-led organizations, having chapters in high schools and middle schools around the country.
At the local, state, and national levels, FBLA arranges a wide range of competitive activities. Finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, business ethics, and other business-related topics are covered in these events. Students compete in solo or team competitions, demonstrating their knowledge and skills through presentations, tests, case studies, and other activities.
Scholarships and recognition programs are available through FBLA to recognize excellent student achievements in academics, leadership, community service, and entrepreneurship. These opportunities can help pay for education while also serving as valuable credentials on resumes and college applications.
Requirements to join the Future Business Leaders of America
- Enrollment in a participating school: FBLA chapters are commonly found in high schools and middle schools. Students must attend a school with an active FBLA club.
- Membership dues: To join FBLA, students are normally asked to pay membership dues. Dues vary every school and chapter, and they frequently cover the cost of resources, materials, and participation in FBLA events.
- Registration: Students who want to join FBLA must do so through their school’s official registration method. This may entail filling out an application form, paying membership dues, and supplying contact information.
Why participate in business competitions for high school students?
By working on real-world business challenges, students can learn about different industries and career paths. Students can learn about numerous industries and career options by working on real-world business difficulties. It also enables them to gain confidence in their own abilities and ideas. They can get a sense of accomplishment and recognition by obtaining feedback from judges and competing against other kids. Many business competitions award cash prizes, scholarships, and other forms of recognition to students who perform well. This can be used to assist students in paying for college or investing in their future enterprises.
