Registration Information
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Eligibility:
- All participants must be students currently enrolled in grades 9-12)
- Each team must consist of 2-4 members
- Participants must provide all necessary information and obtain competition verification from the MEC committee
- The team must complete the registration and payment by the specified deadline
- The team must submit the required materials by the specified deadline, fail to achieve this may result in disqualification
Limited teams, get your spot now!
Verification:
- Submit a Team Introduction Video: Each team must submit a video introduction lasting 1.5-2 minutes. The video should include an introduction of the team members and an explanation of the entrepreneurial issue or field the team is most interested in exploring.
- Complete the Online Question Set: Teams must complete the designated online question set. Participants must provide all necessary information and obtain competition verification from the MEC committee
- Meet One of the Following Criteria and Provide Supporting Documentation:
- Attend a school listed in our past participants’ school list.
- Provide a recommendation letter in English from a relevant club advisor, school teacher, or a past MEC award winner.
- Submit your school grades or English proficiency test scores.
The MEC Committee will evaluate the provided materials, and students who pass the evaluation will receive a verification email confirming their eligibility to participate.
Competition Activities
First Time in Tokyo! Hosted at the No. 1 MBA in Japan, Hitotsubashi University, the “Asian Harvard”!
- Orientation: Kickstart your journey with essential insights and guidelines.
- Convention: Engage with peers and experts in a dynamic setting.
- 3-day Lectures: Gain knowledge from industry leaders and experts.
- Workshop: Hands-on learning experience with top professionals.
- 3 Days of Consecutive Competitions: Challenge yourself and showcase your skills.
- Off-Competition Interaction: Learn and connect informally with peers and Judges.
- Live Feedback from Esteemed Judges: Receive direct and invaluable advice.
- Networking Opportunities During Dinner Party and Social Events
- Immerse Yourself in the Vibrant Energy of Tokyo City
Key Takeaways
- Recommendation Letter (Offline Only)
- Printed Certificates of Participation (Silver Certificate)
- Awards (Gold Certificate/Trophy)
- Total prizes and awards value over $100,000
- Winners get the privilege to write recommendation letters for future contestants of MEC Legacy
Important Dates:
Competition Sign Up:
- Verification Period: 2024.10.01 – 2024.12.23 (PDT GMT-7)
- Registration and Payment Deadline: 2024.12.30 (PDT GMT-7)
Competition Process:
- First BP Submission Deadline: 2025.03.17 (PDT GMT-7)
- Revision Deadline: 2025.04.26 (PDT GMT-7)
- Final BP, Commercial Video Submission Deadline: 2025.06.06 (PDT GMT-7)
- Promotional Video Online Voting: 2025.06.16 – 07.07 (PDT GMT-7)
- Check-in: 2025.07.27 14:30 – 20:30 (JPT GMT+9)
- Competition: 2025.07.27 – 07.31 (JPT GMT+9)
- Awards Ceremony: 2025.07.31 14:00 (JPT GMT+9)
Registration Fee:
Basic
- Consulting
- Advising
- Business Planning
- Investments
Business
- Consulting
- Advising
- Business Planning
- Investments
Pro
- Consulting
- Advising
- Business Planning
- Investments
For Individuals
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$20 / month
Access to All Courses
Tests & Quizzes
Source Files
For Teams
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Starting at $50 / month
Access to All Courses
Tests & Quizzes
Source Files
Team Dashboard
For Classrooms
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Starting at $40 / month
Access to All Courses
Tests & Quizzes
Source Files
Instructor Analytics
Customizable Content
5k
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Half Marathon
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Full Marathon
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- Aliquam erat volutpat
Plan without Accommodation
per person- Experience invaluable real-life feedback from esteemed judges of the Model Entrepreneur® Competition.
- The first global entrepreneurship competition launched at Columbia Business School for high school students.
- Embrace the opportunity for every team to seize the chance to advance to the prestigious Final Round.
- Celebrate your achievement with an official Certificate of Participation from the Model Entrepreneur® Competition.
Plan with Accommodation
per person (Recommend!)- Immerse yourself in the invaluable video feedback provided by esteemed judges of the Model Entrepreneur® Competition, setting the stage for your journey to the Final Round.
- Engage in global competition that offers unparalleled live feedback from esteemed university professors and influential leaders of Fortune 500 companies.
- One of the major competitions chosen by past attendees from Stanford, Harvard, Columbia, Yale, Princeton, Oxford, Cambridge, and many other top universities across the globe.
- Immerse in constructive peer review sessions, where you learn and grow alongside talented international students from around the world.
- Celebrate your remarkable achievement with an official Certificate of Final Round Participation from the Model Entrepreneur® Competition.
- Total prizes and awards value over $100,000.
Plan with Luxury Accommodation
per person- $5,499/person after Feb 15, 2024
- First time at Columbia University! Experience the thrill of real-time competition, uniting entrepreneurs from across the globe during our live and dynamic event!
- Elevate your presentation skills through insightful and focused 3-day lectures delivered by esteemed Columbia Business School faculty and judges.
- Cultivate and build meaningful connections by actively engaging in face-to-face discussions with respected judges and fellow participants.
- Take a moment to unwind and savor the delightful atmosphere as you relax and enjoy a fun-filled evening at the Event Dinner Party.
- Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of New York City.
- One of the major competitions chosen by students admitted to Stanford, Harvard, Columbia, Yale, Princeton, Oxford, Cambridge, and many other top universities across the globe.
- Celebrate your remarkable achievement with an official Certificate of Final Round Participation from the Model Entrepreneur® Competition.
- The fee includes: $1M health insurance, 3.5-4 star hotel in Manhattan, unlimited subway, 3 meals/day, and 24/7 onsite assistance.
- Total prizes and awards value over $100,000. Please contact us if accommodations and local transportation are not required.
* Significant scholarship support for U.S. public schools is available.
Frequently Asked Questions:
General
Q: How and where do I register for the competition?
A: You will need an account for the registration. Please sign up for an account if you haven’t acquired one before starting the registration process. Please remember to check for a verification email to activate your account.
Now, you may begin your registration process by Signing Up an account. Then follow the instructions below:
- Fill in the registration form (if your teammate has registered before you, please make sure to ask for the QR code and upload the QR code to join the team before proceeding to finish the form).
- Confirm your team and team members’ information.
- Pay the registration fee as a team (no individual payment is accepted).
- Upload your team’s Business Proposal.
Once you complete the above steps before the respective deadlines, your team will be officially listed as First Round participants of the competition.
Q: How can my teammates and I form a team if we were unable to join each other’s team while filling out the registration form?
A: If you and your teammates have registered multiple teams independently, please ensure that only one account maintains the team registration. The other team member(s) should withdraw their team registration from their Dashboard. After the withdrawal, your teammate(s) can then proceed to the registration page and complete the form using the QR code associated with the team registration you’ve retained.
Q: What forms of payment are accepted? Can I pay with a credit card?
A: We accept PayPal and credit cards.
Q: How to apply for the scholarship for U.S. public schools?
A: If you’re a student attending a U.S. public school, you may email mec@ivyedugrp.org for a scholarship application. Please provide us your name, team name, and the school name you’re attending with one of the following for verification:
- Photo/screenshot of your student ID card
- Your school email address (we will send an email to this address for verification)
Q: What if I need to cancel the registration after my team has completed the payment? Can I get a refund?
A: Please refer to your refund policy below.
Q: If a team member withdraws during the competition, will the team be allowed to continue with the competition?
A: If a team member has to withdraw from the competition, as long as there are at least two members remaining in the team, the team will be allowed to continue with the competition.
Q: What is the total number of participants that have joined the MEC since the competition began?
A: Approximately 12,000 high school students have participated over the last 9 years.
Q: What if I live in New York City and I do not need local transportation or accommodations during Offline Final Round?
A: Please contact us if accommodations and local transportation are not required.
Refund
Updated Refund Policy FAQ
Q: What is the refund policy for the 2024 MEC Competition?
- This year, the competition will consist of only one offline event in Tokyo, Japan, with no separate rounds.
- Refund requests can be processed within 7 days of payment. However, the refund amount will be issued after deducting the PayPal transaction fee.
- If you cancel within the first 14 days after payment, you will receive a 50% refund after the deduction of PayPal fees.
- No refunds will be issued after the 14-day period.
Q: How can I request a refund?
To request a refund, please contact our support team at mec@ivyedugrp.org with your registration details, including your legal English full name and team name.
Q: How long is the refund processing time?
Refund processing time may vary, but please allow up to 10-14 business days after your request has been confirmed.
A: Refunds will be initiated within 14 working days from the date of the refund request.
*Please note that our company reserves the right to change the competition’s format, date, or location if necessary.
MEC Schedule
MEC Legacy
MEC Online
MEC Hybrid
MEC Regional
Tokyo
Americas
China
MEC Schedule
Tokyo
Americas
China
Introduction
Model Entrepreneur®
Competition
Model Entrepreneur Competition (MEC) was launched 11 years ago by Columbia Business School's Venture For All (VFA) in collaboration with IEG Global Association. MEC is the first entrepreneur competition that started at an Ivy League.
MEC began in 2014, and we're celebrating its impressive 11th anniversary. From the start, MEC has aimed to inspire and empower young talents to present innovative ideas with real business potential. Through unwavering dedication, it has become a standout among global competitions with 27 business launches and $7.1 million in funding.
MEC winners have also gained acceptance into prestigious institutions like Harvard, Stanford, Yale, UPenn, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, Columbia, Cornell, University of Chicago, UC Berkeley, and others. This success showcases the caliber of talent nurtured by MEC, opening doors for aspiring entrepreneurs.
As we commemorate this milestone, we are proud of MEC's impact on the next generation of visionary business leaders.
Official Competition
The world’s first and only official entrepreneur competition founded at an Ivy League – Columbia Business School. IEG now facilitates all MEC’s across the globe.
Total Prize Exceeds $100,000
IEG is dedicated to bringing the world’s top education experience to students all over the world. As a non-profit organization, IEG contributed more than USD 100,000 each year to MEC.
Judges from Ivy League Schools and Industry Leaders
The Judging Panel consists of top executives from Fortune 500 and current professors and instructors from top universities. All team members will have a chance to consult directly with professors and domain experts.
Introduction
Model Entrepreneur®
Competition
Model Entrepreneur Competition (MEC) was launched 11 years ago by Columbia Business School's Venture For All (VFA) in collaboration with IEG Global Association. MEC is the first entrepreneur competition that started at an Ivy League.
MEC began in 2014, and we're celebrating its impressive 11th anniversary. From the start, MEC has aimed to inspire and empower young talents to present innovative ideas with real business potential. Through unwavering dedication, it has become a standout among global competitions with 27 business launches and $7.1 million in funding.
MEC winners have also gained acceptance into prestigious institutions like Harvard, Stanford, Yale, UPenn, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, Columbia, Cornell, University of Chicago, UC Berkeley, and others. This success showcases the caliber of talent nurtured by MEC, opening doors for aspiring entrepreneurs.
As we commemorate this milestone, we are proud of MEC's impact on the next generation of visionary business leaders.
Official Competition
The world’s first and only official entrepreneur competition founded at an Ivy League – Columbia Business School. IEG now facilitates all MEC’s across the globe.
Total Prize Exceeds $100,000
IEG is dedicated to bringing the world’s top education experience to students all over the world. As a non-profit organization, IEG contributed more than USD 100,000 each year to MEC.
Judges from Ivy League Schools and Industry Leaders
The Judging Panel consists of top executives from Fortune 500 and current professors and instructors from top universities. All team members will have a chance to consult directly with professors and domain experts.
Special Guest: Esther Wojcicki
