SAGE Competitions

Competition Overview

From local showcases to the UK stage, SAGE competitions empower teenage entrepreneurs to build real businesses and create lasting change.

Teenage entrepreneurs presenting their business at a SAGE competition

What to Expect

Empowering Teens, Creating Real Change

SAGE UK competitions empower teenage entrepreneurs to create businesses that tackle urgent social and environmental issues. Whether at the local, national, or international level, participants are evaluated on their ability to make a real impact. Competitors are judged on:

  1. 1Business Model
  2. 2Social Impact
  3. 3Innovation
  4. 4Sustainability
  5. 5Presentation Quality
Judging Rubric

How it Works

SAGE equips teenage entrepreneurs to build real businesses under the guidance of their teachers and mentors. The preparation for SAGE competitions, from local events to the prestigious SAGE World Cup, helps students refine their business models, develop real-world skills, and gain confidence. By working through the SAGE process, teens transform their initial ideas into impactful businesses, ready to compete on national and UK stages.

Entrepreneurial Beginnings

Teens begin their journey by developing business solutions within their schools, clubs, or with the encouragement of their parents. They reach out to their local networks, including teachers, business leaders, and mentors, to refine their ideas and businesses and prepare for competition.

National Stage

Teams present their businesses at their country's national competition, representing their communities and showcasing the growth of their ventures. This stage is an opportunity for teens to further develop their strategies, improve their presentations, and gain recognition for their efforts.

SAGE World Cup

The top two teams from each country are invited to the annual SAGE World Cup. This UK event allows students to present their businesses on an international stage, connect with industry leaders, and network with fellow teenage entrepreneurs from around the world. The World Cup combines competition with cultural exchange, fostering collaboration and inspiring the next generation of UK leaders.

Through this process, SAGE participants gain invaluable experience, building both their businesses and the skills necessary to make lasting impacts on their communities and beyond.

SAGE international competition event with teams from around the world

From Local Businesses to UK Recognition

How to Get Involved

Whether you are a student, educator, or business leader, there is a place for you in the SAGE community.

1

For Teens

Learn how you can compete at the national level.

2

For Educators

Support your students by starting a SAGE Entrepreneurship Club.

3

University Mentors

Supports students on their entrepreneurship journey

4

For Business Leaders

Help us by volunteering to judge at our next competition!

How to Start a SAGE Team in Your School/Community

The key to starting a team is to find an enthusiastic group of teenage leaders who are interested in starting their own business venture, along with an adult ally who is willing to encourage and support their participation as a SAGE sponsor. Once a group of teens has decided to participate, the ally who becomes their adviser should register the team.

Register Your Team

A 'team' of at least 3 teenagers is organized and creates a real, operating business.

The team can form within a class at their high school, an after-school program, within a community program, or on their own.

All teams must have an adult supervisor to participate in SAGE.

A school may have several SAGE teams, as long as each team has a sponsoring teacher, adult or sponsoring organization.

All businesses, including for-profit and non-profit, may compete in SAGE.

"Veteran" SAGE teams may re-enter its business for a period of two years.