competitions
Diamond Challenge
Come up with a new innovation and compete for a prize of up to $12,000.
What is the Diamond Challenge about?
In your Diamond Challenge you will come up with a new invention and present your design and business model to a panel of judges in written and pitch forms. Your innovation has to fit into one of the two tracks:
Business Innovation Track: environmentally and socially responsible business using technology to solve a pressing issue.
Social Innovation Track: using technology for social good.
You can read about the Diamond Challenge on its website here.
What work is involved?
You will work for several months (typically between 3 and 6 months) to
ideate and brainstorm social, technological and environmental problems worth solving with innovation,
select and refine your idea, and come up with a suitable business model,
write a 3-5 page written concept narrative, and prepare a 60 second introductory pitch for stage 1 of the competition,
deliver a final power pitch to a panel of judges for stage 2 of the competition.
Am I eligible?
Diamond Challenge is open to all students between ages of 14-18. There is no limitations on nationality or location of applicants. For the Diamond Challenge, you will need a team of 2-4 people.
When can I apply?
16 January 2024 is the deadline for the stage 1 submissions for the 2024 edition of the Diamond Challenge. For this stage, you will need a 3-5 page brief introducing your innovation and business plan, as well as a 60 second introduction video.
How will
help
We will guide you every step of the way:
Ideation: you will brainstorm and discuss your ideas with your Ariton mentor.
Expert business training: you will work closely with your Ariton mentor to learn about different business models you could try to apply to your innovation, and select the most suitable one.
Mentorship: an experienced Ariton consultant with years of startup, academic research and innovation experience will be working with you on a weekly basis. Our mentors previously started companies, worked in major corporations and prepared large business proposals, as well as led teams to successfully compete in the business competitions.
Coaching sessions: from ideation to extensive mock pitching, your Ariton mentor will be with you every step of the way.
Project management: there is a lot of work involved in completing the Diamond Challenge, and it will be your Ariton mentor's priority to ensure you stay on track.
