Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) Competition—Should You Apply?
Participating in entrepreneurial competitions during high school can be a valuable experience. These contests build skills like leadership, critical thinking, and teamwork, which can help you stand out in college applications. Admissions officers love to see students who take the initiative to solve problems in creative ways. In today’s blog, we’ll cover the SAGE Competition and what makes it one of the better entrepreneurship experiences for high schoolers to pursue.
What is SAGE all about?
SAGE (Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship) is a global competition for young entrepreneurs to create businesses and social enterprises. Established in 2002 by Dr. Curt DeBerg, its mission is to educate high school students through business innovation.
The competition encourages you to create sustainable solutions to real-world challenges that align with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—whether by addressing environmental challenges, fostering community development, or launching innovative businesses. SAGE supports teams with mentorship, global networking opportunities, and access to professional judging.
By competing, you’ll learn about sales, marketing, strategic planning, and ethical decision-making. Beyond personal growth, SAGE offers the chance to collaborate with peers worldwide and present your solutions on a global stage.
Is SAGE prestigious?
Yes, SAGE is a prestigious global platform, drawing over 12,000 participants from over 25 countries. The competition has a considerable impact as teams deliver actionable solutions to complex challenges. Judges include professionals from academia, industry, and government, ensuring high standards. Past winners have set up nonprofits and contributed to the growth of entrepreneurship among youth. The competition is selective, as you’ll be competing against top students from around the world. Winning at SAGE demonstrates entrepreneurial skills and a commitment to global sustainability initiatives.
Who is eligible to apply?
To participate in the SAGE Competition, you need to meet the following requirements:
Age group: High school students across the globe aged 13–19.
Team size: A student team must comprise at least 3 members, with no upper limit.
Registration requirement: A school, teacher, or mentor must sponsor your team.
Project scope: Your project must align with either Business Innovation or Social Enterprise categories, addressing one or more of the UN’s SDGs.
How does the application process work?
Follow these steps to apply for SAGE:
Form a team: Gather at least 3 fellow students and a teacher or counselor (or even an institution!) willing to function as your team mentor.
Register your team: Complete the online registration on the SAGE website.
Develop your project: Choose a focus—business or social—and start working on your idea.
Submit deliverables: All teams must create a four-page annual report and a presentation.
Compete at local/national levels: Winners advance to the global stage.
Deadlines vary by region, so check with your country’s SAGE representative for exact dates. Depending on local organizers, a nominal fee may apply for registration.
How is SAGE structured?
The SAGE Competition is a multi-stage event that combines creativity, strategy, and global outreach. Here’s how it works:
1. Local and National Competitions
Teams first compete at regional and then national levels within their countries. These rounds allow you to present your project and refine it based on feedback. Winning teams will progress to the SAGE Global Competition.
2. Project Deliverables
Each team must submit:
Annual Report: A concise, four-page summary detailing their project’s purpose, impact, financial performance, and alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Oral Presentation: A professional pitch lasting 12 minutes, accompanied by a PowerPoint or multimedia presentation. Judges also conduct a 5-minute Q&A to assess understanding and strategy.
3. The Global Competition
Finalists from national rounds compete internationally. Teams present their projects to a diverse panel of judges, including industry experts, academics, and entrepreneurs. This phase focuses on the scalability and global relevance of the solutions.
Judging Rubric
The competition uses a standardized scoring system to ensure fairness and transparency. Here are the criteria:
Business Operations (20%):Judges assess whether the project demonstrates clear business principles, such as profitability, growth potential, and operational efficiency.
Innovation and Creativity (20%):Unique approaches and out-of-the-box thinking in solving societal or business problems earn high marks.
Social Impact (20%):Projects are evaluated on their ability to address social challenges and effectively contribute to one or more SDGs.
Likelihood of business continuity (20%):Teams must prove the long-term viability of their projects, including environmental, financial, and operational sustainability.
Presentation Skills (20%):Clear communication, engaging delivery, and the ability to answer judges’ questions demonstrate professionalism and mastery.
The tentative timeline looks like this:
January–March: Local and national rounds.
April–May: Teams refine their projects.
June: Global competition, where finalists showcase their projects to an international audience.
Pros and cons to consider
Pros:
Global Exposure: You’ll be competing with thousands of students in hundreds of teams from around the world, gaining international recognition.
Skill Development: This a great way to learn business planning, teamwork, marketing, and leadership.
Real Impact: Projects are ideally designed to address real-world issues, and it’s a rare opportunity for you to address challenges in your community and make an impact through your work.
Mentorship: The feedback rounds give you access to guidance and feedback from industry leaders.
Cons:
Time-intensive: Requires significant commitment to meet deadlines and develop high-quality deliverables.
Selective: The competition is competitive, so not all teams advance to the finals.
Is it legit?
Absolutely. SAGE is a well-recognized, globally influential competition with a track record of supporting young entrepreneurs. Its alignment with the UN’s SDGs and the involvement of industry professionals highlight its credibility. However, it’s best suited for students who are invested in making an impact through innovation and willing to commit time and effort. If you’re serious about entrepreneurship, SAGE could be an ideal launchpad for your ideas.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source - SAGE Logo