Anyone here looking to add a solid, internationally recognized extracurricular to their college apps should definitely check out the LSE Generate Global Innovation Challenge (LGIC). It’s run in partnership with LSE Generate—the entrepreneurship hub at the London School of Economics—and Crimson Education.
It’s an online pitch competition for high schoolers (ages 13–18) where you identify a problem in your community and pitch an innovative solution tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A few reasons why it’s actually a really strong addition to an activity list:
🏆 Up to $3,000+ in Cash Prizes & Rewards
There’s a total prize pool featuring cash prizes (up to $1,000 for 1st place), virtual internships with LSE Social Enterprise Founders, and official certificates of achievement to back up your portfolio.
🤝 Direct LSE & Expert Mentorship
You don't just pitch and leave. Top participants get direct 1-on-1 mentorship sessions with industry leaders and startup founders from LSE Generate, which is massive if you're looking for guidance or strong recommendation context down the line.
📚 Global Publication
Every team's research and final proposal gets published on their global platform/website. Having tangible, published work attached to your name is one of the easiest ways to prove real-world impact on Common App or UC descriptions.
💡 Live Webinars & Skill Bootcamps
Even if you're completely new to pitching, registration gives you access to exclusive, expert-led webinars and bootcamps. They cover everything from identifying SDG-aligned problems to structuring a winning pitch deck.
🗓️ How the Rounds Work:
Preparation Phase: Access webinars, resources, and pitch deck templates.
Regional Qualifiers: You submit your pitch deck asynchronously.
Live Global Finals: Top regional teams advance to pitch live on Zoom in front of expert judges.
🎟️ How to get 50% Off:
The standard entry fee is $20 USD, but if you enter the code AMB4713 at checkout, it cuts the price down to $10 USD (50% off).
For $10, getting live training, a published research entry, and LSE-backed credentials on your resume is pretty unbeatable for a low-cost EC.
Let me know if you have any questions about how to structure a team (you can go solo or in teams of 2–4) or pick a topic!
This video provides a complete overview of the LSE Generate Global Innovation Challenge process, pitch guidelines, and competitor expectations.