Where strategy meets pressure. ASCEND competitions push students beyond the classroom — into the arena of real business thinking, high-stakes presentations, and international recognition.
Each ASCEND competition category is designed in partnership with industry leaders to reflect real challenges faced by today's businesses. Students don't solve hypothetical problems — they tackle real ones.
Teams receive a real business case 24 hours before presentation. They must analyse the situation, identify the core problem, and present a data-backed recommendation to a panel of industry judges.
Teams of 2–4Students present an original business idea to a live panel including ASCEND partner representatives. Judged on innovation, viability, financial thinking, and presentation delivery.
Individual or Teams of 2Teams develop a full marketing campaign for a brief provided by one of ASCEND's partner organizations. Includes brand strategy, channel planning, creative direction, and budget allocation.
Teams of 3–4Students analyse financial statements, build investment theses, and pitch portfolio decisions to a panel of finance professionals. Tests modelling ability, commercial judgement, and communication skills.
IndividualIn partnership with Fairtrade, teams develop a sustainability strategy for a real-world scenario. Judged on environmental impact, commercial viability, and stakeholder alignment.
Teams of 2–4Students simulate cross-border business negotiations, navigate trade regulations, and develop market entry strategies for emerging economies. Tests global commercial awareness and negotiation skills.
Teams of 3ASCEND competitions follow a structured three-round elimination format designed to progressively raise the stakes — from school-level performance through to international finals on the global stage.
All rounds are judged by panels that include at least one representative from an ASCEND partner organization, ensuring real-world credibility and industry-relevant feedback.
Hosted at each member school. All registered students compete within their school. Top performers from each category advance to the Regional Round. Schools submit recorded presentations or host live in-person judging sessions.
Schools from the same region compete against each other in a virtual or in-person bracket. Industry judges score presentations on defined rubrics. The top two performers per category from each region advance to the International Finals.
Held at the ASCEND Annual International Conference. Finalists from all member schools compete live in front of a panel that includes ASCEND partner executives. Winners are announced at the awards ceremony on the final evening.
Schools register their student participants and select competition categories. Briefing materials distributed.
School-level competitions. Judges assess all participants. Top performers per category advance to the next round.
Multi-school regional brackets. Virtual or in-person format. Regional winners qualify for International Finals.
Live finals at the ASCEND International Conference. Awards ceremony. Industry recognition for category winners.
Competition registration opens each September for member schools. If your school isn't a member yet, apply now and be ready for the upcoming season.