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Student Startup Competition
Win $20,000 USD in grants and prizes.
Pitch live in Kingston, Jamaica.
Open to university students and recent graduates worldwide.
Applications close March 10, 2026.
Win $20,000 USD in grants and prizes.
Pitch live in Kingston, Jamaica.
Open to university students and recent graduates worldwide.
Applications close March 10, 2026.
About the Competition
The TEN Jamaica Global Challenge 2026 is a global startup competition for student founders building scalable ideas and early-stage ventures.
Finalists will pitch live in Kingston, Jamaica connecting with peers, funders, and partners.
TEN (The Ecosystem Network) connects student founders to capital, opportunity, and global networks.
Finalists will pitch live in Kingston, Jamaica connecting with peers, funders, and partners.
TEN (The Ecosystem Network) connects student founders to capital, opportunity, and global networks.
Who Can Apply
• Undergraduate or graduate students (any major, any country)
• Recent graduates (within 12 months)
• Solo founders or teams
• Any industry (tech or non-tech)
• Idea-stage, prototype, or early-revenue startups
TEN is funding committed founders
• Recent graduates (within 12 months)
• Solo founders or teams
• Any industry (tech or non-tech)
• Idea-stage, prototype, or early-revenue startups
TEN is funding committed founders
What You Gain
• Compete for $20,000 USD
• Global visibility
• Investor and mentor introductions
• Recognition as a TEN Finalist
• Live pitch experience in a growing entrepreneurship hub
Built to accelerate founders, in addition to selecting winners.
• Global visibility
• Investor and mentor introductions
• Recognition as a TEN Finalist
• Live pitch experience in a growing entrepreneurship hub
Built to accelerate founders, in addition to selecting winners.
What You Submit
Round 1: A brief Executive Summary (max 3 pages) covering:
• The problem
• Your solution & business model
• Market & traction (if any)
• Your team
You can start in about 10 minutes and return to edit anytime before the deadline.
• The problem
• Your solution & business model
• Market & traction (if any)
• Your team
You can start in about 10 minutes and return to edit anytime before the deadline.
How It Works
1️⃣ Submit online
2️⃣ Virtual evaluation
3️⃣ Live finals in Jamaica
Clear. Competitive. High-impact.
2️⃣ Virtual evaluation
3️⃣ Live finals in Jamaica
Clear. Competitive. High-impact.
What We Look For: 5 Key areas scored from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
• Strong problem–solution fit
• Market need or validation (if available)
• Business Model Viability
• Scalability
• Committed leadership
Early-stage ideas welcome, if you’re thinking big.
• Market need or validation (if available)
• Business Model Viability
• Scalability
• Committed leadership
Early-stage ideas welcome, if you’re thinking big.
Key Dates
Applications open: February 19
Deadline: March 10 at 11:59 PM
Finalists announced: Shortly after judging
Live finals: 2026 – Kingston, Jamaica
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Ready to Apply?
Click Apply Now to begin.
Deadline: March 10 at 11:59 PM
Finalists announced: Shortly after judging
Live finals: 2026 – Kingston, Jamaica
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Ready to Apply?
Click Apply Now to begin.
About TEN
TEN (The Ecosystem Network) is a global student entrepreneurship initiative supporting young founders through competitions, mentorship, and international exposure.
Contact: info@tensuccess.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icenetwork/
Contact: info@tensuccess.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icenetwork/