The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) announced the launch of the 2026-2027 World Series of Innovation (WSI) on September 9, 2026, according to official announcements. The free online global innovation challenge and learning experience empowers young people aged 5 to 24 to develop creative solutions to real-world problems aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Submissions for the global competition close on December 13, 2026. Competitors can enter either as individuals or as teams through the challenge submission portal at innovation.nfte.com, with official winners scheduled for announcement in spring 2027.
Expanding Access Through Global Partnerships
This year’s competition rollout marks a structural evolution for the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship following its recent merger with BUILD. According to organization leadership, the combined family of brands focuses on expanding career-connected learning and equipping students with foundational problem-solving mindsets.
“Young people are inheriting a world defined by rapid technological change, complex global challenges, and unprecedented opportunities,” said Dr. J.D. LaRock, president and CEO of NFTE, in a public statement. “The World Series of Innovation gives them the opportunity to see themselves as real problem-solvers.”
To reach a broad international demographic, the competition accepts entries in English, Spanish, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, and Hindi. Supporting learning resources, rules, and challenge materials are also provided across all five languages to assist educators, parents, and youth-serving organizations.
Structure of the 2026-2027 Challenges
The competition is split into two primary divisions based on age brackets, featuring specialized challenge categories designed alongside corporate sponsors and philanthropic foundations:
- WSI Imagination League (Ages 5-12): Features youth entrepreneurship and health concepts, including the Aflatoun Kidpreneurs Challenge tied to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and the MetLife Foundation Good Health & Well-Being Challenge tied to SDG 3.
- WSI Impact League (Ages 13-24): Features multiple targeted tracks, including the EverBank Smart Hustle Challenge (SDG 4: Quality Education), the Fifth Third Bank Skills for Success Challenge (SDG 4: Quality Education), the Intuit Food Truck Innovation Challenge (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth), the EY Responsible AI Challenge (SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and the MetLife Foundation Good Health & Well-Being Challenge (SDG 3).
Participants compete for cash prizes ranging from $300 to $1,500 per winning entry, while remaining top-performing teams secure global recognition for their designs. Beyond the prizes, the challenge framework is built to cultivate core workplace competencies like creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and adaptability.