Eligibility Requirements

Who can take part

To represent their country at Company of the Year 2026, each student company must meet these requirements.

1

Active enrollment in the Junior Achievement Company Program 2026 in their country.

2

Successful operation of a real venture throughout the program.

3

Recognition as a standout company by their Junior Achievement national office.

4

A team of at least five students.

Evaluation Criteria

How companies are assessed

The jury evaluates each company across six dimensions. Download the full evaluation guide for the detailed scorecard.

🧭

Organizational Management

Team structure, roles, plans, and clear decisions.

🌱

Impact and Purpose

Economic, social, and environmental impact aligned with a clear purpose.

💡

Innovation and Technology

Originality of the idea and smart use of tools and technology.

🚀

Projection and Scalability

Growth potential and the vision to reach new markets.

📈

Performance and Commitment

Sales results, financial health, and team dedication.

🎬

Report and Video Pitch

Quality and clarity of the written report and the video pitch.

🇺🇸 Evaluation guide · English 🇪🇸 Guía de evaluación · Español

Report & Video Pitch Recommendations

Tell your story with impact

Two deliverables bring your company to life for the jury: a written report and a short video pitch. Use these guidelines, and download the full recommendations below.

📄 Report

English · Max 10 pages

Cover: company name, school, city, country, logo, advisor, and team.
Executive summary: who you are, mission, product or service, and highlights.
History and purpose: the origin of the idea and the problem you solve.
Product or service: features, benefits, price, and triple impact.
Management and operations: roles, plans, production, and logistics.
Marketing and sales: audiences, competition, channels, and results.
Economic and financial results: capital, income, costs, and net profit.

🎥 Video Pitch

Original language · Max 3 minutes

A dynamic, creative introduction to your company and why you belong at Company of the Year.
Structure: presentation, product or service, purpose, achievements, and success story.
Recorded horizontally, with good light and clear sound.
Real images of your team at work and at the fair.
One or more speakers, as you prefer.
No copyrighted music.

🇺🇸 Full recommendations · English 🇪🇸 Recomendaciones completas · Español

Application Process

Key dates

Mark your calendar. Here is the road from pre-registration to the finalist announcement.

Step 1

Application period

Aug 14 – Sep 15

Step 2

Evaluation phase

Sep 15 – Sep 30

Step 3

Finalist announcement

October 1

Pre-Registration

Nominate your company

Complete the pre-registration form below. A national office representative may nominate up to three student companies.

1. Information about the person who completes the form

Name

Last name

Country

2. General information about each nominated company

How many companies are going to be nominated

Remember that if you nominate more than one company, the first company—once the criteria have been validated and the nomination has been approved—will automatically become a finalist. The second and third companies will be evaluated by a regional jury and selected based on merit and the number of spots available

2.1 FIRST NOMINATION

City

Company name

Name of the educational center

Program stage at the time of nomination

Add the link to the report

Add the link to the pitch

2.1.1 Company members (All members, not just COY applicants)

How many members does the nominated company have in total?

Add the link to the table of all company members, including the following information: First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, and Email."

2.1.2 COY applicants

How many members does the company have?

	Name	Last name	Date of birth	Email adress	Phone Number
Member 1
Member 2
Member 3
Member 4
Member 5

2.1.3 Confirmation of participation

Can you confirm that at least 3 students and 1 adult chaperone will participate in COY in Rio de Janeiro, from November 17 to 20, covering their travel costs? (Participation fees for this group are already covered)

2.1.4 Financial assistance request

Do you consider financial assistance necessary for the team to participate?

how would the assistance be used?

please specify

2.1.5 What is the total amount of financial assistance needed?

US dollars

2.1.6 Additional comments

2.2 SECOND NOMINATION

City

Company name

Name of the educational center

Program stage at the time of nomination

Add the link to the report

Add the link to the pitch

2.2.1 Company members (All members, not just COY applicants)

How many members does the nominated company have in total?

Add the link to the table of all company members, including the following information: First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, and Email."

2.2.2 COY applicants

How many members does the company have?

	Name	Last name	Date of birth	Email adress	Phone Number
Member 1
Member 2
Member 3
Member 4
Member 5

2.2.3 Confirmation of participation

Can you confirm that at least 3 students and 1 adult chaperone will participate in COY in Rio de Janeiro, from November 17 to 20, covering their travel costs? (Participation fees for this group are already covered)

2.2.4 Financial assistance request

Do you consider financial assistance necessary for the team to participate?

how would the assistance be used?

please specify

2.2.5 What is the total amount of financial assistance needed?

US dollars

2.2.6 Additional comments

2.3 THIRD NOMINATION

City

Company name

Name of the educational center

Program stage at the time of nomination

Add the link to the report

Add the link to the pitch

2.3.1 Company members (All members, not just COY applicants)

How many members does the nominated company have in total?

Add the link to the table of all company members, including the following information: First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, and Email."

2.3.2 COY applicants

How many members does the company have?

	Name	Last name	Date of birth	Email adress	Phone Number
Member 1
Member 2
Member 3
Member 4
Member 5

2.3.3 Confirmation of participation

Can you confirm that at least 3 students and 1 adult chaperone will participate in COY in Rio de Janeiro, from November 17 to 20, covering their travel costs? (Participation fees for this group are already covered)

2.3.4 Financial assistance request

Do you consider financial assistance necessary for the team to participate?

how would the assistance be used?

please specify

2.3.5 What is the total amount of financial assistance needed?

US dollars

2.3.6 Additional comments

Contact Information

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Application

Who can take part

How companies are assessed

Organizational Management

Impact and Purpose

Innovation and Technology

Projection and Scalability

Performance and Commitment

Report and Video Pitch

Tell your story with impact

📄 Report

🎥 Video Pitch

Key dates

Application period

Evaluation phase

Finalist announcement

Nominate your company

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