Rio de Janeiro became the global hub of innovation for over 100 young entrepreneurs
For three days, the city of Rio de Janeiro became the epicenter of youth entrepreneurship and innovation. More than 100 students from 12 countries across the Americas showcased their projects at the 17th edition of the Company of the Year Competition (COY), organized by Junior Achievement Americas.
Sacky JA from Ecuador was recognized as the Best Student Company of the Americas 2025.
Company of the Year, Sacky JA, Ecuador.
The finalist teams, students aged 16 to 18, arrived in Brazil after a year of work in the Company Program (also known as Miniempresa, Empresarios Juveniles or Aprender a emprender in different countries), where they created and managed their own ventures. In Rio, they lived a unique experience that included:
A Startup Fair open to the public, where they sold their products and services to judges and guests.
Pitch sessions, defending their ideas before a panel of business experts.
Interviews with the jury, who evaluated their performance, impact, and sustainability in depth.
The winners of this edition were:
🥇 First place: Sacky JA, Ecuador
🥈 Second place: Agarrô, Brazil
🥉 Third place: Elementies JA, Ecuador.
2° Company of the Year, Agarrô, Brazil.
3° Company of the Year, Elementies JA, Ecuador.
The competition also presented special recognitions, highlighting creativity, innovation, social commitment and global expansion potential:
FedEx Global Possibilities Award: Lula Pak JA, Ecuador.
PMIEF Project Success Award: Mucy-Laya, Perú.
Delta Air Lines Social Impact Award: Essenza, Brazil.
At the Awards Ceremony, more than 600 people gathered to celebrate youth entrepreneurship. The true stars of the night were the 20 finalist student companies, cheered on by the JA Americas Regional Board, the JA Worldwide Board of Governors, and JA staff from across the network.
“Young people showed us that the future of entrepreneurship in our region is in good hands. Each finalist company came to Rio with passion, resilience, and a strong commitment to generate impact. This experience goes beyond a competition: it is a lifelong learning opportunity,” said Noël Zemborain, President of JA Americas.
The event was part of a historic week for Junior Achievement in Rio de Janeiro, which also hosted the Global Leadership Conference (GLC), the JA Americas Regional Board Meeting, and the JA Worldwide Board of Governors Meeting. More than 300 global leaders gathered in the city to reflect on the future of work, innovation, and JA’s educational impact.
“We are honored to welcome so many talented young people to Brazil. COY is not just a competition; it is a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit of our youth and an opportunity for them to connect, learn, and show the world what they are capable of achieving,” said Alex Mutran, CEO of JA Brazil.
“For JA Rio, it was a privilege to host this historic experience. Seeing our students share the stage with global leaders in the same space reaffirms Junior Achievement’s mission: to connect generations, inspire talent, and prepare youth to lead the future,” said Ana Luiza Silva, Executive Director of JA Rio de Janeiro.
Beyond the awards, students return to their countries with learning, new friendships, and the certainty that they are capable of turning their ideas into reality. As one finalist expressed: “We didn’t just win a trophy; we left with a network of contacts and a new confidence in ourselves that we will never forget.”
What’s next? The Best Student Company of the Americas, Sacky JA , now returns home with the challenge of preparing for the next stage: competing for the Ralph De La Vega Award alongside the best student-run companies from Asia Pacific, Europe, the United States, Africa, and the Middle East.
