About this competition
The Diamond Challenge is a global high-school entrepreneurship competition run by the Horn Entrepreneurship program at the University of Delaware. Teams of 2-4 students (ages 14-18) submit a concept in one of two tracks: Business Innovation (for-profit ventures) or Social Innovation (social-impact ventures).
The competition uses a 5-round structure (submission → pitch round → 2 semi-finals → finals). Past finalists from 130+ countries have built ventures that've gone on to raise real seed funding. Prize pool: $100,000+ in awards and scholarships.
Season & deadlines
Registration September. Concept submission January. Final pitch event at University of Delaware in April.
Season window: September through April.
Cost
Free — Free to enter. Top teams pay their own travel to the finals at U Delaware.
Prizes & outcomes
$100,000+ in scholarships and venture funding. Top placers get connected to startup accelerators and angel investors.