Diamond Challenge (Horn Entrepreneurship, University of Delaware)
Horn Entrepreneurship, University of Delaware
$100,000 prize pool ($4,500 to $12,000 grand prizes)
High-school team competition with a $100,000 prize pool; submissions due January 14, 2027. For students aged 14 to 18 only.
The Diamond Challenge is a business and social innovation competition for high school students. Teams must have 2 to 4 students aged 14 to 18 at the submission deadline, plus one adult advisor aged 21 or older; it is open worldwide for concepts with under $100,000 in total revenue. There is a $100,000 prize pool, with grand prizes of $12,000, $8,000 and $4,500 plus topical prizes. The 2027 submission window is open until January 14, 2027 at 5 pm EST. Entries need a written concept narrative of 3 to 5 double-spaced pages and a 60-second video, judged over three rounds ending at the Limitless World Summit. This is for minors; it is listed for completeness, not as a drafting target.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Foundation
- Amount range
- $4,500 – $12,000
- Realistic amount
- Grand prizes of $12,000, $8,000 and $4,500, plus topical prizes from a $100,000 pool.
- Deadline
- January 14, 2027 at 5 pm EST
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
Who qualifies
- Teams of 2 to 4 high school students aged 14 to 18 at the submission deadline
- One adult advisor aged 21 or older
- Concepts with under $100,000 in total revenue; worldwide
Who is not eligible
- Anyone outside the 14 to 18 high school age range
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Student team prize money
Ineligible expenses
- See official program guidance
How to apply
-
1
Form a team and advisor
2 to 4 students aged 14 to 18 and an adult advisor aged 21 or older.
~1 hrs
-
2
Write the Concept Narrative
3 to 5 double-spaced pages: problem, customers, solution, unique value, economics, team, traction.
~12 hrs
-
3
Record a 60-second video
Part of the submission.
~3 hrs
The narrative must cover problem, customers, solution, unique value, economics, team and traction in 3 to 5 pages, so plan one section per topic.
Deadline & timing
2027 timeline: September 16 submission window opens; January 14 submission deadline (5PM EST). Teams must be 2 to 4 high school students aged 14 to 18 at the deadline, plus one adult advisor aged 21 or older. No AI policy found on the rules page.
Deadline: January 14, 2027 — put it in your calendar before you close this tab.
Includes reminders one week and one day before. Verify on the official program page — funders move dates.
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Required documents
- Written Concept Narrative (3 to 5 double-spaced pages)
- 60-second video
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Last updated October 17, 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.