The Young Entrepreneurs Challenge 2026

About

The Young Entrepreneurs Challenge invites young innovators aged 16-25 from Europe to submit their tech-led business ideas for a chance to win mentorship, cash awards, and a trip to a global summit, fostering entrepreneurial growth and innovation.

Benefits

• 🎓One-to-one mentorship
  Paired with an enterprise mentor for personalized guidance
• 💰Cash award of £10K
  Overall winner receives a £10,000 grant to accelerate their business idea
• 🌍Global One Young World Summit
  Winner gets a trip to the 2027 Global Summit in Tokyo for networking and workshops
• 📚Exclusive masterclasses
  Access to masterclasses with industry experts on various business topics

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be between 16 and 25 years old on November 1, 2026
• Residents and/or citizens of the U.K. or the continent of Europe
• Business proposals must be legal in all mainland European countries
• Businesses must be pre-start or no more than three years old with an annual turnover of less than £100,000 (120,000€)

Participation Commitments

• Applicants must submit a video application of 60-90 seconds
• Finalists will be announced in mid-October 2026
• Business proposals must be submitted in English

Target Sector

Technology and innovation

Target Location

U.K. and continental Europe