Question 1

What is BuildUp Global?

Accepted Answer

BuildUp Global is an education company, founded by alumni from Stanford, Duke Fuqua, LSE, NYU, and UCL, and recognised by Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, UCL Innovation & Enterprise, Duke I&E and UCL EdTech Labs. BuildUp runs structured, mentor-guided programs with schools and individuals that put students on real internships with real companies, alongside research, personal projects, and social impact work.

Question 2

Who can participate?

Accepted Answer

Any student worldwide, split into two divisions by grade: Junior (grades 7–9, ages 12–14) and Senior (grades 10–12, ages 15–18). Each division is judged separately, so you're only ranked against peers at your own level.

Question 3

Do I need prior experience in the role I choose?

Accepted Answer

No. You don't need prior experience. The challenges have all the background and context you need.

Question 4

What kind of roles are in the challenge?

Accepted Answer

48 roles across 31 industries ranging from Computer Scientist, Mechanical Engineer, Startup Founder, and Lawyer to Art Director and Marine Biologist. Whatever you're into, there's likely a role for it.

Question 5

Do me and my team get to pick different roles, or does the whole team do the same one?

Accepted Answer

As a team, you choose one role together and work through the challenge as a unit by splitting responsibilities across teammates. You're not locked into a single option though; you'll choose from the full suite of 48 roles across 31 industries when the challenge drops.

Question 6

What does registration cost?

Accepted Answer

The registration fees are $35 per student if you're competing individually, $25 per student if you register as a team.

Question 7

How big can my team be?

Accepted Answer

3–5 students per team. You can also compete individually if you'd rather have full ownership of your own submission.

Question 8

How much time do I get to solve my case?

Accepted Answer

Individuals and teams get two weeks to complete and submit your challenge.

Question 9

What will the final showcase be like?

Accepted Answer

If you're shortlisted as a Global Finalist, you'll pitch your work live in front of an international judging panel.

Question 10

What do winners get?

Accepted Answer

The Champion Team (or individual) in each division gets the 8-week internship, recommendation letters, and a completion certificate. Global Finalists who don't win still get a Global Finalist Certificate and recognition across BuildUp Global's platforms.

Question 11

Are these real internships?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Champion Teams and winning individuals earn an 8-week internship with a BuildUp Global partner company, in the industry of their choice, plus professional recommendation letters and completion certificates. These are internships with real companies.

Question 12

What have past internships looked like?

Accepted Answer

Past internship work has included researching a subscription-based legal resource model for a Dubai-based legal advisory firm, conducting market research for a biotech startup treating industrial wastewater with engineered yeast, designing and testing a sales chatbot for a UK sports-tech company, and supporting expansion strategy for a fintech startup that rounds up spare change into mutual funds. Every project comes with a defined scope, real deliverables, and mentor oversight.

Question 13

What if we don't win?

Accepted Answer

Everyone who completes the challenge, whether you win or not, gets an Official Challenge Certificate, a Professional Performance Report, and personalised written feedback.

Question 14

Does this help with college applications?

Accepted Answer

Yes. BuildUp's students have gotten admitted to Harvard, Columbia, Duke, LSE, UC Berkeley, Oxford, and dozens of other top universities, with $22M+ in scholarships secured along the way. Participating in challenges is a great way of showing how a student performs, and this one lets you show that on a global stage against peers from different countries.