Diamond Challenge

Home
Diamond Challenge

DIAMOND CHALLENGE FOR HIGH SCHOOL ENTREPRENEURS 2024

The Diamond Challenge is a global entrepreneurship competition designed to empower high school students to become innovative thinkers and problem solvers. It provides a platform for young minds to develop and pitch business ideas that address practical challenges and compete for $100,000 in awards. Secondary school students participate in a year-long program and develop ideas to address pressing challenges they’ve identified.

The University of Delaware Horn Program in Entrepreneurship created the Diamond Challenge in 2012 with a twofold purpose:

  1. To expose high school students to entrepreneurship as a viable career path, and
  2. To provide high school students with an outstanding opportunity to learn about the entrepreneurial process while attempting to put their ideas for new businesses into action.

Since its launch, over 6,000 students from around the world have participated in the Diamond Challenge.

A Perfect Opportunity

Join other Secondary School Entrepreneurs in the world in the Diamond Challenge for High School Entrepreneurs 2024

Join WhatsApp Group
Register

ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

Application Requirements

Teams must consist of 2-4 high school students aged 14-18 at the submission deadline. Each team is required to have one adult advisor aged 21 or older. While multiple advisors are allowed, only one can be included in the official team submission. Contact information, including email addresses, must be provided for all team members, including the adult advisor. Each student may participate on only one team and submit one concept per competition year.

Upon initial submission, each team is required to choose a competition track (business innovation or social innovation) as well as a pitch round format (live pitch event or virtual/pre-recorded). Selections are considered final upon submission.

Competition Track
  • Business Innovation: a concept’s primary purpose is to solve a customer problem, that by doing so will generate revenue and profit.
  • Social Innovation: a concept’s primary purpose is to solve a social problem and make a positive impact on people or the environment.
Pitch Round Format
  • Live Pitch Event: Participants can choose to pitch their project at a live event. These events are hosted at various locations around the world in collaboration with Pitch Event Partner organizations. Typically, events are held in-person though the determination of the event format is at the discretion of the Pitch Event Partner. A participant from a team must be present at the event to compete.
  • Virtual/Pre-Recorded: Alternatively, participants have the option to compete virtually by uploading a pitch deck and a recorded video pitch for judging. This option allows participants to pitch remotely without attending an event.
Please note
    1. Throughout the competition, participants must avoid listing or disclosing the names of their schools unless the school constitutes a critical element of their concept. Only concepts created by members of the team may be submitted. If a submission has also been conceived by members not participating in the Diamond Challenge, their full legal names must be disclosed during submission to avoid potential conflicts of interest and/or potential legal challenges at later stages of the competition.

    2. Concepts must not have generated more than $100,000 in total revenue prior to the submission deadline.

    3. Concepts that have advanced to the final round (Summit) in prior years cannot be resubmitted.

SUBMISSION ROUND REQUIREMENTS

To enter the Diamond Challenge competition, participants are required to complete an initial submission that consists of two components:

Written Concept Narrative
  • Persuasive concepts can be expected to tell a seamless and compelling story about: the problem being solved, the customers/beneficiaries who have the problem, how the problem is being solved (i.e., a description of the product/service), why the solution is different and better than existing alternatives (i.e., its unique value), the basic economics underlying how it will make money (or sustain the social venture), the collective means of the team members for pursuing the venture, and any evidence gathered to show positive progress (or gaining customer-problem-solution traction).
  • The narrative is limited to 3-5 pages, double-spaced, utilizing a 12-point font and a 1-inch (2.54 cm) margin. Cover pages are not to be included. Pages over the stated limit will be removed. All submissions are to be written in English. Documents should be submitted in a .pdf format.

 

 

 Introductory Video
  • A compelling video serves as a concise introduction to both the team and the concept being submitted. The video should present the team members’ names, the concept name, and a brief yet impactful explanation of the problem the concept aims to solve, for whom and the proposed solution.
  • The video is strictly limited to 60 seconds. Videos must be submitted as a publicly accessible URL link. Videos exceeding the time limit or unavailable to be viewed will be disqualified.

Written concept narratives and introductory videos serve as a submission requirement solely during the first round of the competition. Teams who participate in the submission round will be evaluated by a series of judges and must meet the minimum score to advance to the pitching round. Incomplete submissions and/or submissions that do not adhere to all Diamond Challenge rules, terms, conditions, and judging criteria may be penalized and excluded from judging.

All materials are considered final once submitted via the online competition platform.

live pitch event REQUIREMENTS

  1. Pitches are strictly limited to 5:00 minutes utilizing a pitch deck of no more than 15 slides. Teams are free to use their creativity as they see fit to best portray their concept, which includes display boards, prototypes, images, sounds, motion graphics, etc.
  2. Pitch deck submission format is at the discretion of the Pitch Event Partner organization.
  3. Judges’ questions and team member responses will be strictly limited to 3:00 minutes. Only team members who participate in the pitch are eligible to answer judges’ questions during the 3-minute question and answer section.
  4. While embedded audio or video elements are allowed, please be aware that technology requirements such as sound amplification and internet access are not guaranteed. If technical difficulties are encountered, the timer does not stop, and they will affect the 5-minute pitch time limit. Be prepared to adapt if needed.

VIRTUAL/PRE-RECORDED PITCH REQUIREMENTS

  1. Teams will submit a pre-recorded pitch video strictly limited to 5:00 minutes. All pitch videos must be uploaded using a publicly accessible URL. Videos exceeding the time limit or unavailable to be viewed will be disqualified.
  2. Additionally, a copy of the pitch deck used must be submitted. Pitch decks must be no more than 15 slides in length. Pitch decks should be submitted in a .pdf format.
  3. Teams are free to use their creativity as they see fit to best portray their concept, which includes incorporating display boards, prototypes, images, sounds, motion graphics, etc. into their videos. Teams can decide which members present during the pitch video. The pitch deck should be generally visible in the pitch video recording (through a screen share or other technical means).
  4. Pitch videos and pitch decks will only be viewed and judged during the second round of the competition. Teams advancing to the final round of competition will have an opportunity to update their pitch deck.
  5. All materials are considered final once submitted via the online competition platform.

SUBMIT REQUIREMENTS

    1. Student teams qualifying for the final round of competition at the Summit will be required to attend in-person to compete. At least one team member must be present. If no team members are able to attend due to visa applications being denied or delayed, the participants may contact the Diamond Challenge team and request to defer participation. A one year deferment will be granted to teams; however, if the team is not able to attend in the subsequent year, they will forfeit their competition spot.
    2. Pitches are strictly limited to 5:00 minutes utilizing a pitch deck recommended to be no more than 15 slides. Teams are free to use their creativity as they see fit to best portray their concept, which includes display boards, prototypes, images, sounds, motion graphics, etc.
    3. Pitch decks will be required to be submitted in advance of the Summit. Pitch decks are required to be submitted via Google Slides with a publicly accessible URL link. The pitch deck may be updated at any time prior to the final round pitches as long as the link does not change.
    4. Judges’ questions and team member responses will be strictly limited to 3:00 minutes. Only team members that participate in the pitch are eligible to answer judges’ questions during the 3-minute question and answer section.
    5. Any materials distributed to judges, including displays and prototypes, will be considered part of the 5-minute pitch. All distributed items must be retrieved at the conclusion of the question and answer section.
    6. Only student team members may be involved with the pitch during the 5-minute pitch and 3-minute question and answer section. This includes advancing slides, presenting a prototype and answering questions.

    Please note that, by participating in the Diamond Challenge, you are granting the University of Delaware and its partners the limited right to utilize references to your concept as well as any images and pictures of you that may be taken in association with your submission and presentation(s) for promotional and other purposes that are consistent with a philanthropic education initiative.

    The Diamond Challenge utilizes a network of affiliated partners to execute live pitch events. These partners operate under a non-legally binding memorandum of understanding that compels them to make a good-faith effort to execute pitch events according to uniform standards developed by the Diamond Challenge leadership team. These standards are intended to provide equality of opportunity while also promoting a positive and impactful learning experience for all participants.

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION

Participating in the Diamond Challenge offers numerous benefits for high school entrepreneurs, including:

cash prize

The top three teams receive enough cash prizes to help them launch their businesses.

Mentorship Opportunities

Participants have access to experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts who provide guidance and support.

 

Networking

The challenge provides a platform for high school entrepreneurs to connect with like-minded individuals from around the world.

College Credit 

Finalists receive college credit from the University of Delaware’s Horn Entrepreneurship program.

 

Resume Building 

Participating in the Diamond Challenge is a great way to build your resume and demonstrate your entrepreneurial skills to colleges and future employers.

VIRTUAL/PRE-RECORDED PITCH REQUIREMENTS

Form a Team: Gather a diverse group of teammates with varying skills. This diversity can lead to more innovative solutions and a well-rounded business plan.

Identify a Problem: Successful startups often begin with a problem that needs solving. Encourage your team to brainstorm real-world issues that resonate with your interests and experiences.

Research and Validate Your Idea: Before diving into a business plan, conduct market research to validate your idea. Understand your target audience, competitors, and potential challenges.

Create a Business Plan: Your business plan should outline:

  • Executive Summary: A brief overview of your business idea.
  • Market Analysis: Insights into your target market and competition.
  • Marketing Strategy: How you plan to reach and engage your audience.
  • Financial Projections: Basic income forecasts, funding needs, and potential profits.

Practice Your Pitch: Develop a clear, concise pitch that highlights the key aspects of your business. Practice delivering it confidently, focusing on engaging your audience.

 

Grand Prizes

Awards are given to the top three teams in both business innovation, presented by CSC, and social innovation tracks to advance their entrepreneurial journeys.

1st Place

$12,000

2nd Place

$8,000

3rd Place

$4,500

Timeline To Note

Beginning in September, teams develop their concepts and leverage resources throughout three rounds culminating at the Limitless World Summit in May.

Concept Development

Series of Diamond Challenge events to support students crafting their submissions.

Submission Deadline
January 16 at 5:00pm EST

Submission Round

All submissions will be evaluated and receive feedback from multiple judges.

Advancing Teams Announced

February 18

Pitching Round

Live pitch events hosted around the world (Pre-recorded virtual option available)

All Advancing Teams Notified by March 16

Final Round

Finalists will compete at the in-person Limitless World Summit Conference

Partnerships

The University of Delaware partners with so many organisations, globally. They have partnered with two organisations in Nigeria. One among the two organisations in Nigeria is the House of Diamond Community Initiative.

This media briefing is organized and hosted by House of Diamond Community Initiative, Nigeria.

House of Diamond Community Initiative is a youth capacity development organization. We equip teens and young girls with relevant life-long skills to become productive global citizens. Since 2009, we have been in the forefront of bringing entrepreneurship education to secondary schools through our innovative programs and our aim among others is to build a community of skilled and economic active generation of youths and women.

Our Pitch Event Information is as follows:

  • Competition Track: Business Innovation
  • Event Type: Hybrid (Virtual & In-person)
  • Pitch Event Date: February 27, 2025

You can reach us through email on  houseofdiamondinitiative@gmail.com

Or, call and text us via +2348085750689

A Perfect Opportunity

Join other Secondary School Entrepreneurs in the world in the Diamond Challenge for High School Entrepreneurs 2024

Join WhatsApp Group
Register

For Mentorship

We are mentoring as many people as possible for the Diamond Challenge.

+2348085750689

Scroll to Top