Deadline: March 11, 2026
Applications are open for the World Bank Group Youth Summit Pitch Competition 2026. This is a global opportunity for young innovators and entrepreneurs to showcase bold, impactful solutions to today’s most pressing development challenges. Open to individuals and teams aged 18–35 from around the world, this event offers a unique platform to present your ideas to an international audience and accelerate your journey from concept to impact.
As a flagship initiative of the Youth Summit, the Pitch Competition highlights the power of youth-led entrepreneurship in driving job creation, inclusive growth, and sustainable development. Each year, the event brings together young change-makers, technical experts, and global leaders to explore how innovative ideas can translate into real-world solutions.
Thematic Focus
While the Pitch Competition welcomes ideas from all sectors and backgrounds, participants are encouraged to demonstrate how their solutions leverage entrepreneurship to contribute to the Summit’s broader mission of job creation, as well as advancing education and skills, and agriculture.
Projects may align with one or more of the Summit’s thematic areas, while also showcasing cross-cutting perspectives such as technology and innovation, Fragile and Conflict-Affected Countries (FCV), and financing strategies.
Benefits
- The Pitch Competition is designed to provide young innovators with a structured, high-quality pitching experience on a global stage. Beyond the competition itself, participants gain valuable exposure to an international audience and the opportunity to sharpen how they present their ideas.
- Finalists will receive pitching coaching and project feedback from World Bank and partner technical advisors, and will present their projects during the World Bank Group Youth Summit 2026 hosted at World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
- Winners will receive tailored mentoring from IFC experts, covering areas such as business modeling, market analysis, and context-specific feedback. Travel support may be provided for one representative per finalist team, subject to eligibility and visa requirements.
Eligibility
- Participants must be 18–35 years old throughout the event (born on or after 13 June 1990, and on or before 13 June 2008)
- Open to individuals or teams of up to five members
- All participants must be nationals of World Bank Group member countries
- Solutions must demonstrate innovation, impact potential, and scalability
Application
Detailed submission requirements, including the application form, pitch deck, and video pitch are outlined directly within the online submission form. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review all instructions before submitting to ensure compliance with competition criteria.
For more information, visit World Bank Group Youth Summit Pitch Competition.
