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    Harvard Student Agencies Case Competition

    by Harvard Student Agencies

    A virtual business case competition where high school students analyze a real-world problem, build a strategy deck and pitch a refined recommendation.

    Last verified: 10 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
    Harvard Student Agencies Case Competition

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    Harvard Case Competition at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Closing soon

    Eligibility

    High school students worldwide

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $5; $10; $15

    Prize highlight

    Grand Champion: $1,500 cash plus $3,190 scholarship

    Entry format

    Individual deck and video

    Deadline

    17 October 2026

    Save deadline

    Harvard Case Competition summary

    Students take the role of a consultant, analyze a real-world business problem and turn their recommendation into a concise strategy deck.

    Strong Round 1 entries progress to a video-pitch round. Published rubrics reward analysis, recommendation quality, evidence, communication and persuasion.

    It particularly suits students interested in business, consulting or entrepreneurship who want a structured individual project rather than a team challenge.

    What is Harvard Student Agencies Case Competition?

    The Harvard Student Agencies Case Competition is a virtual challenge in which students act as consultants and solve a real-world business problem. It is run in partnership with Harvard Student Agencies, a student-run company operated by Harvard College students.

    Participants first create a written strategy deck that diagnoses the problem and presents an evidence-based recommendation. Top scorers then refine their ideas into a video pitch for a new judging panel, giving students practical experience in analysis, presentation and persuasive communication.

    Why Succeed highlights Harvard Case Competition

    • The two-round format develops both written strategy and spoken pitching skills.

    • A detailed published rubric makes the qualities of a strong submission unusually transparent.

    • Three free workshops introduce case analysis, problem structuring and persuasive deck design.

    • Round 1 entries receive double-blind review from two judges, reducing the influence of names and schools.

    • Every completed Round 1 submission earns a digital participation certificate.

    Who is Harvard Case Competition for?

    Best for

    Independent high school students who enjoy business problems, evidence-based reasoning and presenting a clear recommendation.

    Not ideal if

    You want a team competition, cannot commit time to a polished deck, or prefer a challenge without a registration fee.

    Is Harvard Case Competition worth it?

    This competition can be worthwhile for students who want a defined consulting-style project with a published rubric and practical preparation sessions. Producing a strategy deck gives you concrete work to discuss when reflecting on business, entrepreneurship or problem-solving interests.

    The main limitation is that recognition depends on competitive judging, while the registration fee is non-refundable. Scholarship awards are also tuition reductions for Ladder Internships rather than unrestricted cash, so enter primarily for the case experience and skill development.

    How much preparation does Harvard Case Competition need?

    Effort level

    Moderate.

    Best started

    Begin analyzing the case two to three weeks before the Round 1 deadline.

    Main challenge

    Turning broad research into a quantified, defensible recommendation within 10 slides.

    Typical preparation

    • Read the full case once for context, then identify the central decision and its constraints.

    • Use the workshops to test your problem structure before building slides.

    • Link each recommendation to evidence, numbers and a clear implementation rationale.

    • Finish early enough to check the PDF and submit at least 24 hours before the deadline.

    Useful if

    You can work independently and explain every strategic choice.

    What do students do on Harvard Case Competition?

    You work independently through a consulting-style case, converting research and analysis into a concise strategy deck. If shortlisted, you refine the recommendation and communicate it through a video pitch.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Register as an individual participant through the official form.

    2. 2

      Review the announced case and identify the core business problem.

    3. 3

      Attend optional virtual workshops on case analysis and deck design.

    4. 4

      Create and submit a PDF strategy deck of no more than 10 slides, excluding the title page and appendix.

    5. 5

      If shortlisted, refine the recommendation and submit a Round 2 video pitch.

    6. 6

      View the livestreamed final results and award ceremony.

    Harvard Case Competition dates and deadlines

    Submission deadline

    17 October 2026

    Round 1 deck due by 11:59 PM ET

    Upcoming
    Save deadline

    Competition dates

    17 August-6 December 2026

    From case announcement to final ceremony

    Active

    Registration opens

    10 August 2026

    Early-bird registration begins

    Past

    Case announced

    17 August 2026

    Round 1 case released

    Past

    Standard registration

    1 September 2026

    Standard pricing begins

    Past

    Case Competition 101

    18 September 2026

    Virtual preparation workshop

    Past

    Cracking the Case

    26 September 2026

    Virtual analysis workshop

    Past

    Winning Deck

    10 October 2026

    Virtual deck-design workshop

    Active

    Submissions open

    18 October 2026

    Round 1 upload window begins

    Upcoming

    Round 1 results

    9 November 2026

    Shortlisted students announced

    Upcoming

    Final ceremony

    6 December 2026

    Livestreamed results and awards

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Enrolled in high school on 31 December 2026

    • Open to students worldwide

    • Individual entries only

    • No grade restrictions

    • No prior business experience required

    How much does Harvard Case Competition cost?

    Entry cost

    $5-$15 — Tiered registration pricing

    What's included

    Free preparatory workshops for all students, Digital certificate after submitting a Round 1 deck

    How to enter Harvard Case Competition

    1. 1

      Open the official individual registration form.

    2. 2

      Provide the requested participant details and complete payment.

    3. 3

      Review the case after it is announced.

    4. 4

      Submit the Round 1 strategy deck through the competition system.

    5. 5

      If shortlisted, follow the instructions for submitting a Round 2 video pitch.

    Save this competition in Succeed, keep the deadline visible, and track your progress before you submit.

    Start your entry checklist

    Submission requirements

    Round 1 is a written strategy-deck submission, while Round 2 is reserved for shortlisted participants.

    • Individual work only

    • Maximum 10 slides

    • Title page excluded from slide limit

    • Appendix excluded from slide limit

    • PDF format for Round 1

    • Video pitch for shortlisted participants

    • Student must own the final analysis and decisions

    Prizes and recognition

    Grand Champion

    Receives $1,500 cash and a $3,190 Ladder Internships scholarship.

    Runner-Up

    Receives $1,000 cash and a $2,500 Ladder Internships scholarship.

    Second Runner-Up

    Receives $500 cash and a $2,000 Ladder Internships scholarship.

    Most Innovative Strategy

    Receives a $1,250 Ladder Internships scholarship.

    Honorable Mention

    Receives a $1,000 Ladder Internships scholarship.

    Other Finalists

    Every other finalist receives a $750 Ladder Internships scholarship.

    What this may help with

    Demonstrating consulting-style analysis, communication and project work.

    What it does not guarantee

    Admission to a Ladder Internships program or any college outcome.

    Judging criteria

    • Round 1: 20 points — Problem diagnosis
    • Round 1: 25 points — Depth of analysis
    • Round 1: 25 points — Recommendation quality
    • Round 1: 20 points — Evidence and quantification
    • Round 1: 10 points — Clarity and structure
    • Round 2: 40 points — Strategic depth
    • Round 2: 30 points — Communication
    • Round 2: 20 points — Persuasiveness
    • Round 2: 10 points — Time discipline
    • Final ranking: 30% Round 1 and 70% Round 2

    Round 1 entries are reviewed blind and independently by two judges.

    How to stand out

    1. Define the core business problem precisely before proposing a solution.
    2. Use relevant numbers to support assumptions, priorities and expected results.
    3. Choose one coherent recommendation rather than crowding the deck with disconnected ideas.
    4. Show how the strategy could be implemented, including risks and tradeoffs.
    5. Make every slide advance the argument through clear headings and uncluttered evidence.
    6. Practice defending each claim aloud before recording a finalist pitch.

    Harvard Case Competition FAQs

    It is a virtual business challenge where high school students analyze a real-world case and pitch a strategic recommendation to judges.

    No. The competition has no prior-experience requirement, and its virtual workshops cover case reading, problem structuring and deck development.

    No. Every entry is individual, and each student must produce and defend their own work.

    Students submit a PDF strategy deck of no more than 10 slides, excluding the title page and appendix. The organizer estimates that most students spend 8-10 hours on it.

    Top-scoring Round 1 participants refine their recommendation and submit a video pitch to a new judging panel.

    Judges do not see the student's name or school. Every Round 1 deck is independently scored by at least two evaluators.

    AI tools may support research, brainstorming and feedback, but the student's analysis, decisions and final work must be original. Substantially AI-generated submissions may be disqualified.

    Every student who submits a Round 1 deck receives a digital participation certificate. Award winners receive award-specific certificates.

    Alternatives to Harvard Case Competition

    Compare these related online business, entrepreneurship and investment competitions if you want a different brief or entry structure.

    Alternatives to Harvard Case Competition

    Teen Investor Cup

    Online investing competition for teens

    International Relations
    Deadline: Not announced
    $200
    13-18

    Best for

    Teens interested in markets and investing

    View details

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Case Competition 101 · Zoom · Luma
    • Judging Criteria & Judges | HSACC
    • Prizes | HSACC
    • Workshops & Resources | HSACC
    • FAQ | HSACC
    • Register | HSACC 2026
    • What Is a Business Case Competition? | HSACC
    • Ambassador Program | HSACC
    • FAQ | HSACC
    • HSACC | Harvard Student Agencies Case Competition

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 10 Oct 2026)

    • Official page checked

    • Timeline cross-checked

    • Eligibility reviewed

    • Fees verified

    • Prize terms reviewed

    • Judging rubric checked

    • Submission rules reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

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