Registration Information
Important Dates
Competition Sign Up:
- Registration and Qualification Materials Submission Deadline: 2026.03.01 (PST GMT-8)
- Payment Deadline: 2026.03.11 (PDT GMT-7)
Competition Process:
- Business Proposal – First Draft Submission Deadline: 2026.04.06 (PDT GMT-7)
- Commercial Video Submission Deadline: 2026.05.25 (PDT GMT-7)
- One-Pager Submission Deadline: 2026.06.08 (PDT GMT-7)
- Business Proposal – Final Draft Submission Deadline: 2026.07.13 (PDT GMT-7)
- Check-in: 2026.08.02 14:30 – 20:30 (JPT GMT+9)
- Competition Events: 2026.08.03 – 08.05 (JPT GMT+9)
Eligibility
- Participants must be students currently enrolled in grades 9-12.
- Each team should consist of 2-6 members.
- Teams must pass the qualification review conducted by the MEC committee. Check for more details below.
- Registration and payment must be completed by the specified deadline.
Registration is now open
Registration Steps
Click here to sign up and fill out the registration form
Submit qualification materials (check below)
Receive acceptance letter and make payment
- Create Account: If you haven’t signed up for an account, please do so before beginning the registration process.
- Register: After you sign up, you can register for this year’s MEC. Please ensure that the first person to register shares their QR code with other teammates, so you can join as a team.
- Submit Qualification Materials: Please make sure to submit your team’s qualification materials before you make the payment.
- Payment: Ensure your team has received the qualification email from the MEC team before proceeding with the payment. Please note that all team members must pay individually.
- Submission: After all team members have completed their payments, your team can submit the Business Proposal through the dashboard.
Qualification Review
- Submit a Team Introduction Video: Each team is required to submit an introduction video lasting between 2.5~3 minutes.
Your video should include:
- Team Introduction: Who you are and your roles.
- Problem Statement: What problem you want to solve and why it matters.
- Proposed Solution: How your idea addresses the problem and why it is valuable.
- Motivation: Why your team cares about this idea.
*All team members must speak during the video.
- Complete the Online Question Set: Each team must complete the designated online question set.
- Meet TWO* of the Following Criteria and Provide Supporting Documentation:
- Submit 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.
- Post on any public social media platform using the hashtags #MEC and #MECLegacyTokyo2026, and ensure the post receives at least 10 likes.
*If your school has participated in MEC before (please check the participating school list), you only need to submit ONE of the materials above.
How to Submit:
Please submit the video and supporting documents through your dashboard.
Social Media Requirements:
-
- Post on any public platform using #MEC and #MECLegacyTokyo2026
- Make sure the post receives at least 10 likes
- Take a screenshot of the post that clearly shows:
• The content of the post
• Your username
• The number of likes - Upload the screenshot to the Qualification Review section of your dashboard
Video Requirements:
-
- The video should be in MP4 format
- The video should be 2.5~3 minutes
- The video should be no more than 80MB
- Please use the file name: “MEC Qualification Review Submission- [Your Team Name]”
The MEC Committee will review the submitted materials. Students who pass the evaluation will receive an acceptance letter confirming their eligibility to complete registration.
*If you’re a student studying in mainland China, please register here to participate in MEC Hybrid China 2026 to skip the qualification review and receive additional resources and guidance.
Competition Activities
- Orientation: Kickstart your journey with essential insights and guidelines.
- Intellectual Exchanges: Learn from industry leaders and experts, including Dr. Anas Chalah, Assistant Dean at Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
- Consultation Sessions: Join small-group discussions and receive expert insights from top academics and industry professionals.
- 3-Day Competitions: Challenge yourself and showcase your skills.
- Networking Opportunities: Build connections during dinner party and social events.
- Explore Tokyo: Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and beauty of Tokyo.
Meet One of Our Judges
Dr. Anas Chalah,
Assistant Dean at
Harvard SEAS
Get ready to be inspired! As the Assistant Dean for Teaching and Learning at Harvard SEAS for Teaching and Learning and a 2023 Hero’s Award recipient from the President of Harvard, Dr. Anas Chalah’s insights and experience will provide incredible value and inspiration to our participants!
*All trademarks and logos of the universities displayed on this site are the property of the respective owners.
Key Takeaways
- Recommendation Letter (from our Judges)
- Awards (gold certificate/trophy)
- Printed Certificate of Participation
- Winners have the privilege of writing recommendation letters for future MEC Legacy contestants
Total Prizes Valued Over $110,000
Our awards celebrate the exceptional achievements of our participants and include start-up funds, trophies, certificates, and IEG scholarships that grant access to a range of IEG programs.
- 1st Place: $12,000 ($2,400 start-up fund; $1,600 in scholarships for IEG programs per member; letter of recommendation from a MEC Judge)
- 2nd Place: $9,900 ($1,500 start-up fund; $1,400 in scholarships for IEG programs per member; letter of recommendation from a MEC Judge)
- 3rd Place: $7,700 ($800 start-up fund; $1,150 in scholarships for IEG programs per member; letter of recommendation from a MEC Judge)
Other team awards will be listed in the MEC Brochure.
Legacy Plans
Basic
$999
This plan covers all scheduled events and competitions.
Includes:
Registration Fee
Consultation
Intellectual Exchanges
Most Popular
Signature
$1,799
Basic Plan + daily breakfast with judges, hotel room with one roommate, and full chaperone support during the competition.
Includes:
Basic Plan
Daily Breakfast with Judges
Accommodation
(3 Nights)
Chaperone Support
Signature+
$1,999
Basic Plan + daily breakfast with judges, hotel room by yourself, and full chaperone support during the competition.
Includes:
Basic Plan
Daily Breakfast with Judges
Hotel Room by Yourself
Accommodation
(3 Nights)
Chaperone Support
Premium
$5,299
Basic Plan + daily breakfast, premium single room, full chaperone support, and others.
Includes:
Basic Plan
Daily Breakfast
Courtyard Tokyo Station Hotel, Hotel Toranomon Hills, Oakwood Premier Tokyo, or Another 4-Star Hotel (3 Nights)
Dedicated Chaperone Support
Private Group Chat
Airport Pick-Up/Drop-off
Taxi for Transit
Important Notes
For Check-in:
- Basic Plan: You will be responsible for arriving on time at the MEC venue each morning on your own during the 3-day event.
- Signature Plan: You will be responsible for your own airport pick-up and drop-off. You must also check in at the assigned hotel lobby on August 2nd, 2026, between 14:30 and 20:30 (JPT GMT+9).
- Signature+ Plan: You will be responsible for your own airport pick-up and drop-off. You must also check in at the assigned hotel lobby on August 2nd, 2026, between 14:30 and 20:30 (JPT GMT+9).
- Premium Plan: Please provide your arrival and departure flight information for us to confirm your pick-up and drop-off services.
*Room type may vary depending on the number of registrations. The hotels and IEG reserve the right to make changes as needed.
For Check-out:
- Signature, Signature+, or Premium Plans: All students under these plans will complete hotel check-out before departing for the venue on August 5th, 2026. Students who wish to extend their hotel stay, please click the “Purchase Extra Night for August 5th” button to purchase an additional night.
- The award ceremony will take place right after the Final Round of the competition and is expected to end around 4:30 PM. Please make sure to book your return flight later in the evening.
*Breakfast is included in all plans except Basic Plan.
Check out on August 6th, 2026
MEC Participants Feedback
“My overall Model Entrepreneurship Competition experience was phenomenal. Along the way, I learned how to craft and edit business plans and videos on Capcut. I also gained valuable time collaborating as a team to generate unique ideas that solve real problems in the music industry. My experience taught me just how many working parts people consider to form a cohesive startup idea!”
– Lisa C.
“Participating in MEC definitely opened my eyes to valuable insights about business and entrepreneurship that I might not have explored in detail otherwise. I gained a deeper understanding of important topics like the financial aspects of running a business and the complex mathematics involved in market predictions. This experience has truly broadened my perspective and sparked my interest in the world of entrepreneurship.”
– Daniel W.
“The competition really has given us a good platform—from the exciting peer review to the creative video-making. MEC became the best memory of this summer.”
– WeiHao L.
“I loved every moment of my MEC experience. It allows me to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to real-world problems. I also learned about social entrepreneurship, which I’ve realized is something I’m passionate about and want to explore more in the future!”
– Aaron H.
“Participating in MEC is such a great experience for me. It helped me understand business and entrepreneurship in a way I never did before, especially the importance of teamwork!”
– Brent H.
“The innovative structure of the MEC competition and specific feedback from judges led us to experience all aspects of business, from designing a strong business model to delivering effective pitches. Like other competitors, we are fortunate to have experienced entrepreneurship as high school students.”
– Zihan X.
“This competition has helped me grow so much as a person and as a teammate. I didn’t have any background knowledge of business, but this competition led me to do further research, improved my knowledge base, and helped me develop as a better teammate. It really sparked my idea, made it happen, and allowed me to create a business plan.”
– Victoria G.
“My teammate and I agree that our overall experience at MEC was incredibly positive. We learned so much throughout the process. While we are grateful and thrilled to have received an award, what we truly value are the nights spent working hard and the many discussions and meetings we shared. Thanks again for organizing this competition—it has given us so many wonderful memories to look back on :)”
– Wilson C.
“At first, we simply saw this competition as an opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship, but it turned out to be an insightful experience. Competing against entrants from other countries and the peer review sessions encouraged us to think more realistically and globally. MEC is truly an unforgettable experience.”
– Thea C.
Frequently Asked Questions
General
General FAQ
Q: How and where do I register for the competition?
You will need an account to register. Please sign up for an account if you haven’t created one before starting the registration process. Make sure to activate your account via the verification email.
You can now start your registration process by following the instructions below:
- After signing in, click here to fill out the registration form. Please confirm whether your teammate has already registered when filling out the registration form. If one of your teammates has already registered, ask them for the QR code. If not, after creating the team, remind your teammates to use your QR code during their registration.
- Confirm your team information and verify that your selected plan is correct.
- Submit your qualification review materials to your team’s dashboard.
- Wait for Qualification Review Results. Once your team passes the qualification review, you will receive an official acceptance letter.
- After your team receives the official acceptance letter, then proceed to payment individually.
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?
If you and your teammates have registered multiple teams independently, please ensure you keep only one account with the team QR code. The other team member(s) should withdraw their team registration from their dashboard. After the withdrawal, your teammate(s) can proceed to the registration form and complete it by using the team QR code.
Q: Does every student have to submit the qualification materials?
Yes, all students who registered for the MEC Legacy Tokyo 2026 must submit their qualification materials, which the MEC Committee will review. Students who pass the evaluation will receive a qualification email confirming their eligibility to proceed with registration.
Q: What forms of payment are accepted? Can I pay with a credit card?
We only accept credit cards.
Q: What if I need to cancel the registration after my team has completed the payment? Can I get a refund?
Please refer to the refund policy for details.
Q: If a team member withdraws during the competition, will the team be allowed to continue with the competition?
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.
Q: What if I live in Tokyo and do not need local transportation or accommodations during the competition?
If you already reside in the area and do not require accommodations, please select the Basic Plan during registration.
Q: Can I add or remove any team members after confirming the team info?
No, changes to team members are not allowed once “Step 1: Confirm Team Info” has been completed.
Q: Is there a maximum or minimum number of participants allowed in a team?
Teams must consist of 2 to 6 members. Teams with fewer than 2 members or more than 6 members will not be eligible to participate.
Q: What happens if my team misses the proposal submission deadline?
Teams that fail to submit their business proposals by the deadline will be disqualified from the competition.
Submission
Submission FAQ
Q: What is the submission deadline?
The first draft of your Business Proposal must be uploaded by April 6th, 2026 (PDT GMT-7), the Commercial Video by May 25th, 2026 (PDT GMT-7), the One-Pager by June 8th, 2026 (PDT GMT-7), and the final draft of your Business Proposal by July 13th, 2026 (PDT GMT-7). Please note that late submissions will not be accepted.
For more information, please click here.
Q: What materials do we need to submit for the competition?
You are required to submit three key materials: a Business Proposal, a Commercial Video and an One-Pager. Please ensure that all of the files are uploaded to the designated sections on the MEC dashboard by the deadlines.
Q: How do I submit my files?
Please submit your files through the MEC dashboard. After logging in, navigate to the appropriate section for each file and follow the instructions to upload your submission.
Q: What file formats are accepted for submission?
We accept submissions in PDF for your Business Proposal and One-Pager, and MP4 for your Commercial Video.
Q: Can I make changes to my submission after I’ve uploaded it?
Yes, you can delete the original file and upload a new one. Please ensure that all final materials are uploaded before the submission deadline.
Q: Is there a size limit for the files we can upload?
Yes, your Business Proposal and One-Pager should not exceed 25MB, while the Commercial Video file can be up to 80MB. If your files are larger, consider compressing them or adjusting the resolution of large videos or images.
Q: Can we submit multiple files for the project?
No, each section only allows for one file upload. Please ensure that the file you submit is the final version and meets all necessary requirements.
Q: How will we know if our submission was successful?
Once you have successfully uploaded your file, you will see a table with your uploaded file details on your dashboard (see attachment for reference). Additionally, our support team will review all submissions before the competition. If any files are missing, we will reach out to the teams via email.
Q: What happens if my team misses the submission deadline?
Teams that miss the submission deadline may be disqualified from the competition. We will send reminder emails leading up to the deadline, so please ensure to check your email regularly during the competition period for any important updates.
Q: What should I do if I encounter technical issues during submission?
If you face any technical issues, please contact our support team immediately at mec@ivyedugrp.org before the deadline. We recommend submitting your file ahead of time to avoid last-minute issues.
Q: Will there be any extensions for the submission deadline?
No, the submission deadline is firm. Please plan accordingly and submit all materials before the deadline.
Refund
Refund Policy FAQ
Q: What is the refund policy for the MEC Legacy?
- If you cancel within the first 2 days of payment, you will receive a 60% refund excluding Stripe fees.
- If you cancel within the first 5 days of payment, you will receive a 50% refund excluding Stripe fees.
- No refunds will be issued after the 5-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.
*Please note that our company reserves the right to modify the competition’s content, date, or location if necessary.
Contact
A: 5214F Diamond Heights Blvd #3322, San Francisco, CA 94131
T: +1.800.965.9379
E-mail：mec@ivyedugrp.org
About Us
MEC is a global competition hosted by IEG Global Association. All university-run programs are conducted by each university respectively, and IEG serves as its official representative.